". . . since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23
Paul didn't mince words. He said what was on his heart and on his mind. Often it appeared he was unconcerned about the sensibilities of others. Hurt one's feelings? That's okay. Make one uncomfortable? So be it. To use a much more modern expression, Paul told it like it was. He didn't mind stepping on one's toes. I'm not sure that he didn't do that on purpose. At the core of Paul's writings is the thought expressed above to the church in Rome: Not some, not certain ones, not a few, but all.
Sin. It's a word that we may not like to hear. Or, when we do use it, often it is used in degrees as in, that sin is worse than this sin. We may try to diminish the import of our sin by comparing it to one whom we view as being a worse sinner. The truth is, there are no degrees of sin. Sin, in whatever guise, is sin. All sin is equal in the eyes of God. Simply put, sin is missing the mark, to use the understanding from the Hebrew Bible. It is whatever separates us from God.
And sin calls for repentance, an admission that we've done something, said something, thought something that is offensive to God. The only way we can atone for our sin and shortcomings is to seek forgiveness. The theological word is repent. Literally, we turn away from that which has separated us from God. The Hebrew shub (pronounced "shove") literally means to turn and go in the opposite direction. The Greek equivalent is metanoia which means a change of mind or heart, i.e., repentance.
We are in the season of Lent, a time of introspection and penitence. During these "40 Days" we are called to reflect on where we've fallen short and separated ourselves from God whether intentionally or not. Symbolically we do that by "giving up" something. It can be a bad habit or something that may get in the way of our physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health. It can be any number of things. However, if we give something up only to take it up again come Easter, then have we truly "repented"?
Lent is an appropriate time to examine ourselves. It's a time not only to eliminate that which gets in the way of our relationship with God, but to add that which will enhance our relationship with God, drawing us ever closer. As I mentioned in my meditation on Ash Wednesday, it can be our "to do" list, or, our plan to put our house in order. And at the heart of that is our need to repent and to experience God's love and mercy revealed in Jesus Christ. God's forgiveness precedes our repentance, but it is the act of repenting that enables us to know in a palpable way that forgiveness.
It's the season of Lent. Is it just another 'church season'? God calls each of us to immerse ourselves in what Lent is about. And in fully engaging ourselves in Lent, we will be stronger in our faith and walk with Jesus on the other side. Why would anyone not want to do this? Heaven only knows. It is my prayer that each of us will experience in new and fresh ways the power of God's love, grace, and mercy in our lives. May this Lenten journey be one of fulfillment for each of us.
Grace and peace,
Mike
February 22, 2015