Today's readings are 1 Samuel 28.3-25 and 1 Corinthians 6.1-20.
Have you ever found yourself asking questions to which you know but dislike the answer? There are some times when we know perfectly well what is wrong but we keep asking for help and guidance in case there will be some other solution. Saul finds himself in this very position today as we join him in 1 Samuel 28. He has lost God's favor. He knows his kingdom is destined to failure. Is there nothing he can do?
The fact is, Saul cannot recover his kingdom and he knows it. What is left to Saul? Is the Lord working repentance in him for his foolishness? We don't know. Is the Lord making Saul depend more on God than on himself? We don't know. In fact we don't know whether Saul died in faith or not.
Saul, however, is much like we are. He tends to look to God in some ways and to himself in others. He is a double-minded man. This brings to mind the descriptor Luther used of man - simul iustus et peccator - simultaneously just and a sinner. Christians are really and truly righteous by faith in Christ's atonement on our behalf. Yet we remain sinners, people who are capable and often desirous of the most horrible vices. What are we to do?
As we realize our sin, let us turn to our Lord, realizing his suffering on our behalf, confessing our sin, and knowing that he is the Lord of all comfort and forgiveness.
Have you ever found yourself asking questions to which you know but dislike the answer? There are some times when we know perfectly well what is wrong but we keep asking for help and guidance in case there will be some other solution. Saul finds himself in this very position today as we join him in 1 Samuel 28. He has lost God's favor. He knows his kingdom is destined to failure. Is there nothing he can do?
The fact is, Saul cannot recover his kingdom and he knows it. What is left to Saul? Is the Lord working repentance in him for his foolishness? We don't know. Is the Lord making Saul depend more on God than on himself? We don't know. In fact we don't know whether Saul died in faith or not.
Saul, however, is much like we are. He tends to look to God in some ways and to himself in others. He is a double-minded man. This brings to mind the descriptor Luther used of man - simul iustus et peccator - simultaneously just and a sinner. Christians are really and truly righteous by faith in Christ's atonement on our behalf. Yet we remain sinners, people who are capable and often desirous of the most horrible vices. What are we to do?
As we realize our sin, let us turn to our Lord, realizing his suffering on our behalf, confessing our sin, and knowing that he is the Lord of all comfort and forgiveness.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com
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