I remember when God revolutionized my thinking in this matter too. Once you grasp it, it informs everything you do.
Seeing the homeless beggar, and instead of complaining how he'll spend all his money on alcohol and cigarettes - how much trauma has he endured to end up on the street? I always try and give, especially to families, because if that ever happens to me, I would hope that society would still see me as human. As worthy. As enough.
Reorienting our focus from looking at people to seeing God's creations shifts the entire paradigm. You don't determine my worth; I don't determine my worth. My worth has been counted as enough to die for, and we are holy and good and righteous.
The neoCalvinism of total depravity is appalling to me. I do believe that we are totally depraved in the sense that we'll never be good enough, but that doesn't mean we can't be good humans before coming to Christ. There is only way to heaven, but God can use anyone for good.
Your 3YO isn't showing her sinful nature. A philanthropist can give without having ulterior motives.
We aren't sinners who sometimes get it right; we're saints who sometimes get it wrong. (My former pastor, Ron Laney)
We don't pretend that evil doesn't exist. It does. We just need to decide that all people are worth everything, even if it's easier to see them as monsters.
Thank you for sharing, Joelle! I agree that it really is a revolutionary concept! I definitely believe in total depravity, that we are all sinners, BUT ALSO that our fundamental identity is as image bearers!
Beautiful!
I remember when God revolutionized my thinking in this matter too. Once you grasp it, it informs everything you do.
Seeing the homeless beggar, and instead of complaining how he'll spend all his money on alcohol and cigarettes - how much trauma has he endured to end up on the street? I always try and give, especially to families, because if that ever happens to me, I would hope that society would still see me as human. As worthy. As enough.
Reorienting our focus from looking at people to seeing God's creations shifts the entire paradigm. You don't determine my worth; I don't determine my worth. My worth has been counted as enough to die for, and we are holy and good and righteous.
The neoCalvinism of total depravity is appalling to me. I do believe that we are totally depraved in the sense that we'll never be good enough, but that doesn't mean we can't be good humans before coming to Christ. There is only way to heaven, but God can use anyone for good.
Your 3YO isn't showing her sinful nature. A philanthropist can give without having ulterior motives.
We aren't sinners who sometimes get it right; we're saints who sometimes get it wrong. (My former pastor, Ron Laney)
We don't pretend that evil doesn't exist. It does. We just need to decide that all people are worth everything, even if it's easier to see them as monsters.
Thank you for sharing, Joelle! I agree that it really is a revolutionary concept! I definitely believe in total depravity, that we are all sinners, BUT ALSO that our fundamental identity is as image bearers!
Hannah, this is so well said, and needed. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you so much, Alicia! I really appreciate you reading :-)
WOW! Such overwhelmingly beautiful truth explained so magnificently. Thank youÂ
Thank YOU for reading and for celebrating my writing as well as this great truth! :D
This a very well written article and on such an important Christian doctrine! It deserves to be read by many.
Thank you so much for reading and for this encouraging comment! I really appreciate it and you đŸ¥°đŸ¤—