Skip to main content

We "Know" Better

              What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35)

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

John Ortberg’s vlog post today was about shame, and he talked about what he called a “Shame Concierge.” It’s that force, that voice in our heads that tells us to expect rejection. It’s different from guilt, which is healed by forgiveness. It must be healed by acceptance. And so we face these verses. Who/What will separate us from the love of Christ? Paul asked lots of questions about the possibilities and for those of us who know Scripture a little, we know the answer, found a few verses later, is NOTHING! And the “yabbits”(Thanks, Scott!) appear. Yeah, but I’ve sinned too greatly. I’m a coward. I can’t _____, don’t _____, won’t _____. To go back to one that bothered me for years and probably still does. “No one will hire me once they see I worked at _____ because they know ____ destroys their employees.” Or, “No one will read my books and get anything out of them.” Or, “I won’t make friends because all my so-called friends have walked away. I’m too damaged, too ______ for friends. I’m one of those people that others have to explain to others or warn others about.”

Now, please, don’t tell me, “None of that is true!” At least part of the time, I know that. But this is what shame does. In Genesis 3, the serpent manipulates Eve by pointing out that if she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she would be like God. Whammy #1: “You aren’t like God. God is this awesome thing with which you can’t compete.” Very true, but suddenly shameful. You aren’t acceptable because you’re not like God. Whammy #2: “God has put the means of being like Him within your grasp and denied it to you.” Technically, at least potentially true, but suddenly shameful. Whammy #3: “If you ate, you’d be like God.” The carrot of no more shame that leads to the stick of everlasting shame.

So when we come to today’s passage, we’re asked what can separate us. We’re supposed to recognize that none of the things mentioned can do so, but all too often, we “know” better. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more