Dietrich Bohhoeffer: "Now each stands in Christ's place. In the presence of another Christian I no longer need to pretend. In another Christian's presence I am permitted to be the sinner that I am, for there alone in all the world the truth and mercy of Jesus Christ rule." (Life Together, 109)
Growing up in a worldview shaped by evolution, we assume things inevitably get better. Some things do and people can change for the better but at the end of the day or the end of life we're still sinners. You're not as OK as I want and I'm not Ok as you'd like, but when we follow a forgiving and patient Jesus, "I am permitted to be the sinner that I am." "Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come."
People talk about being "comfortable in your own skin." That should be true of Christians with one another. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1Corinthians 12:27)
Comments