Today's readings are 1 Samuel 24.1-22 and 1 Corinthians 1.26-2.16.
"You're a better man than I am." "Really?" "Well, not that I really meant it."
In 1 Samuel 24 we see Saul confessing that David is more righteous than he himself is. But we have to wonder how serious that confession is. All too often when we are in a tight place we will say something, maybe moved by the emotion of the moment, maybe moved by our own instinct for self-preservation, then we never follow through on our confession or promise.
I'm reminded of Jane Austen's Mr. Bennett, from Pride and Prejudice, who is moved to a guilty conscience over his daughter's actions, but readily confesses that his guilt will pass, no doubt too fast. I'm also reminded of Shakespeare's Claudius from Hamlet who confesses his sin of murdering his brother but then says that in fact, though he confessed to God, he doesn't really think his confession was serious.
What kind of confessions do we make when we are confronted with the truth of Christ's righteousness? Do we really realize that the forgiveness Jesus purchased on our behalf is complete, free, and entirely of God's mercy, not at all of our merit? May the Lord let us see how truly righteous Jesus is, what a better man than us he is.
"You're a better man than I am." "Really?" "Well, not that I really meant it."
In 1 Samuel 24 we see Saul confessing that David is more righteous than he himself is. But we have to wonder how serious that confession is. All too often when we are in a tight place we will say something, maybe moved by the emotion of the moment, maybe moved by our own instinct for self-preservation, then we never follow through on our confession or promise.
I'm reminded of Jane Austen's Mr. Bennett, from Pride and Prejudice, who is moved to a guilty conscience over his daughter's actions, but readily confesses that his guilt will pass, no doubt too fast. I'm also reminded of Shakespeare's Claudius from Hamlet who confesses his sin of murdering his brother but then says that in fact, though he confessed to God, he doesn't really think his confession was serious.
What kind of confessions do we make when we are confronted with the truth of Christ's righteousness? Do we really realize that the forgiveness Jesus purchased on our behalf is complete, free, and entirely of God's mercy, not at all of our merit? May the Lord let us see how truly righteous Jesus is, what a better man than us he is.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com
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