There is something beyond this.
I has to do with responsibility. Who is responsible for our sinful behaviour according to the church? We’re tempted by the devil right? And…
There is something beyond this. Sadly something essential to Christians has been lost to history… maybe lost in translation, and if one takes the time to think it through, it reveals itself.
I has to do with responsibility. Who is responsible for our sinful behaviour according to the church? We’re tempted by the devil right? And we all sin... or at least feel like we’ve sinned. This is what your article is about: shame. but what if we fail? Who is responsible? Who bears the weight?
Jesus does. Even knowing we’re sinful, make sinful choices, succumb to the temptations… who bears the consequences and the punishment for those sins? Jesus does.
How empowering is that for humanity when it’s the devils fault and Jesus will save us?
Something doesn’t ad up.
…and I’m a big Jesus fan. BIG.
That “shame Jesus” and that, “I’ll save you! Jesus”, ain’t my Jesus. When I break bread with Jesus I own my choices. I own my sins. I own my shame. And then I forgive myself for my mistakes. Sure Jesus could forgive me… but until I forgive myself, and heal my shame, no blessing from anyone, even Jesus isn’t going to help me.
If I don’t forgive MYSELF first, I’m a coward. I’m a feeble snivelling weakling who surrenders to some outside force to fix my shit for me. If I can’t fix my own shit, Jesus ain’t going to do it for me… and even if he did, it wouldn’t help me with my shame.
God helps those who…
And as far as I’m concerned Jesus does too.