Forgetting Grace?

We live in a world full of victims. Often we have churches full of victims. Where has the doctrine of Total Depravity gone in the modern church? Have we lost it? Are we hearing but never understanding?

"Man is nothing but a subject so naturally full of error that it can only be eradicated through grace. There is nothing to show him the truth, for everything deceives him. The two so-called principles of truth--reason and the senses--are not only not genuine but are engaged in mutual deception. Through false appearances the senses deceive reason. And just as they trick the soul, they are in turn tricked by it. It takes it revenge. The senses are influenced by the passions which produce false impressions." Pascal

Do we really believe that this is the natural condition of out hearts? This is contrary to the world's way of thinking. The latest pop psychology tells us that we have been wronged and we should demand something better. Why are Christians believing this lie?

In our flesh, it is so easy to make all of life about us. We can point to this or that and claim that our needs aren't being met. But what are our needs? And who can meet them? We often think of the Gospel as something we accepted to grant us a ticket into heaven, but it is so much more. It is our guidance for holy living now. IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN MEET OUR NEEDS!The gospel is powerful and it is for the believer as well as the unbeliever. The more we meditate on and study the work of Christ, the more we see our sinfulness and need for grace EVERYDAY. A man once asked Martin Luther why all his sermons are about the gospel and why they couldn't move on to something new. Luther Responded, "because week after week you come in here looking like a people who have forgotten it from last week. There is nothing deeper."

As we begin to understand the Gospel, it changes our lives. The way we see ourselves and others will radically change. When we really understand that "our righteousness are but filthy rags" we begin to be less judgemental and finger pointing begins to cease. Understanding our sin is key to understanding the Gospel. If we remind ourselves each day of the power of gospel and how we so don't deserve the grace that is lavished on us sinners, then we begin to see life in a different manner. It's not all about us, but about God and giving Him glory.

Let's take the words of Matthew to heart next time we seem to dwell on the sins of others instead of searching our own hearts:
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

I'll leave you with a token of wisdom from Derek Webb: (WOW! Being honest and transparent really hurts)

I Repent, By Derek Webb

I repent of my pursuit of America’s dream
I repent, I repent of living like I deserve anything
Of my house, my fence, my kids, my wife
In our suburb where we’re safe and white
I am wrong and of these things I repent

I repent, I repent of parading my liberty
I repent, I repent of paying for what I get for free
And for the way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent

I repent of judging by a law that even I can’t keep
Of wearing righteousness like a disguise
To see through the planks of my own eyes

I repent, I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent, I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
By caring more of what they think than what I know of what we need
By domesticating you until you look just like me
I am wrong and of these things
I am wrong and of these things
Oh I am wrong and of these things I repent

(-Amanda)