Most writers are probably familiar with the saying “Writing is easy … just open a vein.” We pour passion into our words. And once pen hits paper, our vulnerable selves are open to critique. Sometimes the response is harsh, à la “Nobody reads your blog.” Other times the response is constructive, like “This would work better if…” The latter is what we always hope to hear, but it doesn’t often work out that way—especially when those words are on the Internet. (Anonymity has a way of breeding cruelty, does it not?)
For some, a negative response dries up their creative juices and convinces them to give up writing altogether. Others refuse any criticism—constructive or not. But for the tenacious, critique can inspire them to hone their craft.
Likewise when we decide to follow Jesus, we sometimes grapple with the realization of how sinful we really are. Though we’ve accepted Christ’s gift of grace, the label of “sinner” still remains—in fact it’s in accepting that label that we acknowledge we can never earn salvation through our own efforts.
But what happens after receiving this gift? Some hold fast to—and attempt to enforce—a series of dos and don’ts. Others proceed with business as usual—life continues pretty much as it did before. Still others are disheartened knowing no one can ever fully escape the sinful nature.
This topic has been on my heart lately, especially as we draw near to remembering Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. So I sat down with author and philosopher/theologian Kenneth Samples to discuss people’s distorted understandings of salvation from sin, what he calls “gospel perversions.”
The Legalist
With a mindset that “God will love me more if I do this and don’t do that,” some people come across as rules-oriented, often self-righteously so. But those who struggle with this issue may actually be working out of a sense of fear. “In reality,” Ken explains, “we can’t be accepted any more than we are now.” Still, so desperate to be received in Christ’s church—or perhaps so humbled by the forgiveness of sins—these believers focus heavily on the works of the law. Paul touches on this point in Galatians, “Do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
The Self-Satisfied
Sometimes considered the opposite to legalists, antinomians are those who do little to adjust their behavior because they know they are already forgiven. Though we will never remove ourselves from our sinful condition, God’s mercy in our lives should call us to repent. As Paul says, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Additionally, as Ken points out, being saved by grace is not incompatible with desiring to live a godly life. It motivates us to become more Christlike.
The Despairing
Perhaps the saddest of the three groups listed here are those who believe in God but struggle to believe He could love them. The guilt they experience can become so intertwined with faith that it suffocates spiritual growth and feeds doubt and despair. This feeling may be especially problematic for those who have had the “bigger debt canceled.” But Jesus addresses this clearly in Luke when he says to the woman who lived a sinful life: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Ultimately, each of the three “pitfalls” listed above can skew the balance between accepting the grace extended to us and making an effort to live a holy life.
Just as writers have their own way of responding to an unfavorable review, each believer responds to the label of “sinner” in his/her own way. But whether it’s a harsh evaluation of our work or our hearts, we would do well to allow such criticism to propel us toward gratitude and growth.
–Sandra
March 20, 2010 at 11:06 am
i agree. the balance is tough, but the key is in the motivation. putting “effort” into the Christian life cannot be motivated by a desire to be accepted or loved more, as you say, but must stem from gratitide for our total forgiveness. we must deeply understand that our sins are completely and permanently forgiven or else we run the risk of using effort to attain something.
on the flip side, if we need to err in any direction, the best way to err would be to sit back and fully allow the Holy Spirit to make the changes He wants in us. it can be irritating to hear some say that they are “praying about it” or “waiting on the Spirit” when it’s clearly rhetoric or pretense. however, when those positions are taken in earnest, it is extremely refreshing and inspirational.
March 22, 2010 at 7:37 am
Thanks for the feedback. You bring up some excellent points. And yes, I think we’d all agree it’s definitely refreshing and inspirational to see people letting the Holy Spirit work through us. Rhetoric is lame–especially when people are so hungry for real conversation and real help.
March 23, 2010 at 8:00 am
I’ve never seen the psychology of sinners broken down in this way. It’s helpful! While reading the descriptions, I was going back n forth…turns out, I’m a little “Legalist”, a little “The Self-Satisfied”. I agree, honestly looking at ourselves and not getting in the way of the Holy Spirit with our own agendas will grow us more like Christ.
I like what pableezy said, …being Christian should stem from gratitude, rather than motivation. Because really if we replace Christian with Christ and say, being Christ is gratitude, it makes sense. On the other hand, if we say, there is motivation in being Christ…doesn’t really feel honest or genuine.
But I do have to say, when someone says they are “praying about it” or “waiting for the Holy Spirit” I don’t think we should get irritated…I know, “when it’s clearly rhetoric”, but who are we to judge what is true rhetoric or not. I think maybe thats an opportunity to be an extremely refreshing and inspiration breath to that person.
Thanks for the post!
March 25, 2010 at 7:07 pm
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
It’s human to fear, be uncertain, sometimes self-satisfied, legalistic and despairing: most of us are all of those at different times: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-9
I personally like to hang on to the following verse when my humanity sometimes gets the best of me: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” 1 John 3:20
If there is fear, it simply reveals the person has not yet been made perfect in God’s love. And who’s to say how it will all pan out in the end: “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” Matthew 19:30, Mark 10:31
March 31, 2010 at 11:51 am
Well put! Very inspirational.
March 31, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Thanks
April 1, 2010 at 7:22 am
Great dialogue, everyone. Keep ’em coming!
July 23, 2010 at 4:22 pm
isn’t the root word of “self-defeat” just the word “self”. It would seem the despairing may define themselves as humble. I think in some cases, we (because I can identify times I’d confidently place myself in this third category) can enter into self-defeat and call it “humility”, when in reality it is just as selfish as self-righteous legalists.