Title: What to Do with Grace
Author: Christopher Harbin
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
We traditionally come to Ash Wednesday and Lent itself as a time of contrition and repentance. It is right to do so. Then we add an attitude of begging God to forgive us, of not expecting God to want to forgive and reconcile us. We make it seem like our repentance is a prerequisite for grace. There is something about that additional part that does not mesh with the God's grace presented in Christ Jesus. Begging forgiveness misconstrues grace. It does not fit God's attitudes reflected in Jesus. Begging and groveling demonstrate failure to understand grace and the character of the One granting forgiveness. Why would we beg and grovel for what God has already freely extended us?
I am reminded of a scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail in which God speaks to King Arthur. "Arthur, King of the Britons! Oh, don't grovel! One thing I can't stand, it's people groveling. / Sorry. / And don't apologize. Every time I try to talk to someone it's 'sorry this' and 'forgive me that' and 'I'm not worthy'. What are you doing now?! / I'm averting my eyes, O Lord. / Well, don't. It's like those miserable Psalms-- they're so depressing. Now, knock it off!"1
The movie is satire about Arthurian legend, but it makes some points that are relevant to today. This particular scene calls into question the conflict between God choosing to approach humanity and our timidity toward accepting divine contact. What tends to win in those interactions is our fear, the same fear referenced in so many repeated "Fear not!" comments by celestial visitors. "Be not afraid, I have good news for you!" God walks into the garden seeking us, and we hide in the bushes.
Reverence for God is honorable. Fearing God, however, is based on a gross misunderstanding of this God John calls love. It is God who is love Paul claims to make us ambassadors of the good news of Jesus, ...
Author: Christopher Harbin
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
We traditionally come to Ash Wednesday and Lent itself as a time of contrition and repentance. It is right to do so. Then we add an attitude of begging God to forgive us, of not expecting God to want to forgive and reconcile us. We make it seem like our repentance is a prerequisite for grace. There is something about that additional part that does not mesh with the God's grace presented in Christ Jesus. Begging forgiveness misconstrues grace. It does not fit God's attitudes reflected in Jesus. Begging and groveling demonstrate failure to understand grace and the character of the One granting forgiveness. Why would we beg and grovel for what God has already freely extended us?
I am reminded of a scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail in which God speaks to King Arthur. "Arthur, King of the Britons! Oh, don't grovel! One thing I can't stand, it's people groveling. / Sorry. / And don't apologize. Every time I try to talk to someone it's 'sorry this' and 'forgive me that' and 'I'm not worthy'. What are you doing now?! / I'm averting my eyes, O Lord. / Well, don't. It's like those miserable Psalms-- they're so depressing. Now, knock it off!"1
The movie is satire about Arthurian legend, but it makes some points that are relevant to today. This particular scene calls into question the conflict between God choosing to approach humanity and our timidity toward accepting divine contact. What tends to win in those interactions is our fear, the same fear referenced in so many repeated "Fear not!" comments by celestial visitors. "Be not afraid, I have good news for you!" God walks into the garden seeking us, and we hide in the bushes.
Reverence for God is honorable. Fearing God, however, is based on a gross misunderstanding of this God John calls love. It is God who is love Paul claims to make us ambassadors of the good news of Jesus, ...
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