In my quiet times recently, I’ve been working through the gospels chronologically, instead of just one gospel at a time – some days much slower than others. Today I’ve made it to the sermon on the mount, and more particicularly, today, the beatitudes. A comentary by Mark E. Moore that I’ve used in this study had this to say:
Often Evangelicals have made so much of grace that we have made too little of sin.
My initial thought was, “How can you make too much of grace?” But as I wrestled with this for a few moments I realized, that if we don’t ever have a propper view of sin, we will never have a propper view of grace. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). In the same commentary, Moore writes:
It is sad that so few Christians deeply crave righteousness. We are somewhat like children who have spoiled their dinners with candies. We are satisfied with recognition, busyness, entertainment, and emotional titillation. and because we allow such things to fill us, we are distracted from this deeper desire. Because of this, we have lost our impact in our society. We are often neither salt nort light (vv. 13-16) but merely another option for benevolent work or social activities.
Ouch! Not sure about you, as you read that, but that dug just a little deep with me this morning. Where am I filled up? Too often I/we are so enamored with what makes us emotionally filled, that we mistake it for a quality relationship with the God who gives us life and breath, grace and mercy.
-Jonathon