"Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous." [Romans 5:18-19 NKJV]
I think that these verses crystallize Paul's thinking about the human condition and why people act badly. I think that, in his mind, he could not envision a God who created humans with the ability to do bad things. Many in the Bible felt this way. In Psalm 51 King David opined that he was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin his mother conceived him. The idea that humans are born bad is an ancient thought.
I am sad when I think of the original sin dogma. So much time thinking that humankind is born bad. So much focus on the need for divine forgiveness, atonement and salvation just because of an obtuse idea that we inherited sin, like a blood disease, from somebody in Genesis. I think that the whole thing might come from our need to shield God from some sort of blame for human mistakes, errors and atrocities.
In contrast, my opinion is what humankind needs was, and is, love. Loving neighbors makes a difference in the world. Loving our enemies, even our religious ones, has untapped potential to bring peace. I sometimes think that it is enough for me to equate God with love and love with God. All else feels inadequate and lacking. A God of love is really impossible to comprehend because love can only be experienced with the heart.
I still sense the presence of God in my life. It might be just misfiring neurons, but I hear him speak to me with a kindness that breaks me. With a love that sees me. In my darkest days, I sense his spirit encouraging me to hang in there and simply take another step. He speaks to me not of my mistakes or my failures. God under-girds me with a strength that I didn't know that I had. A power that seems to have its roots in goodness and not sin.
So. When I think about forgiveness these days it is more about my need for forgiveness from my neighbor and their need for my forgiveness. When I think of salvation my mind travels to how God has saved me from erroneous theology and harmful activities. I think of how he, each day, causes bad things to work for my good. I don't think of the cross as a blood atonement but as an example of laying down my life for my neighbor.
In the end, I think that humanity needs the gospel of resurrection more than the gospel of death. My thinking is that Jesus' death showed us the way of love and his resurrection showed us the power of love. It is hard to think this way. It is unorthodox and man, I really want to be orthodox. Yet sometimes we have to let go of ancient ideas. The world is not flat and sin is not inherited. God loves us just the way we are. Praise be to the Lord.
So. When I think about forgiveness these days it is more about my need for forgiveness from my neighbor and their need for my forgiveness. When I think of salvation my mind travels to how God has saved me from erroneous theology and harmful activities. I think of how he, each day, causes bad things to work for my good. I don't think of the cross as a blood atonement but as an example of laying down my life for my neighbor.
In the end, I think that humanity needs the gospel of resurrection more than the gospel of death. My thinking is that Jesus' death showed us the way of love and his resurrection showed us the power of love. It is hard to think this way. It is unorthodox and man, I really want to be orthodox. Yet sometimes we have to let go of ancient ideas. The world is not flat and sin is not inherited. God loves us just the way we are. Praise be to the Lord.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
