Partners In Grace (part 3)

3rd Installment – excerpts from the book Partners in Grace (by Larry Easton)

An Important Distinction 

Paul explains this phenomenon further in his epistle to the Church in Rome: 

For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good.  But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.  Romans 7:15-17 (NASB)

Paul provides a candid account of his humanity describing the conflict and turmoil which attends the human condition, but then adds this extraordinary and essential distinction:

But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.   Romans 7:17 

That is, though we may be engaged in some unhelpful behavior (that is, after all, what sin is – an act ultimately harmful to others and harmful to ourselves), a sin, there is somehow a distinction which exists between what we are doing (the sinful act) and who we are. This truth lies at the heart of a biblical response to sin. 

This truth is as nuanced as it is sublime, and yet upon it rests our hopes for freedom from nagging sins and the weaknesses which spawn them. This perspective, however, does not seem at present to be deeply embedded in our practical theologies. We seem, instead, mired in the practices which actually strengthen our weaknesses and the shame they inspire. Consider James’ encouragement of confession among believers: 

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.  James 5:16 (NASB) 

How often do you find this concept actually practiced today? How dare we in a climate which is so hostile to weakness; to the reality of the human condition? We appear shocked when sin appears in our midst, as if something has gone terribly awry. In reality, nothing more than the disclosure of our humanity has taken place. What was hidden has now been revealed. Why, though, was it ever hidden, rather than confessed, to begin with? 

James’ admonition seems to suggest that this practice should be universal because we are all similarly afflicted. That is, weakness is endemic to humanity. James does not recommend that we acclimate ourselves to a life of moral defeat though, but rather accept that reality as a starting point. Then, together we will journey toward a progressively revealed – and grace empowered – state of freedom and victory over distressing behaviors. 

Perhaps our difficulty in reconciling (conceptually) our humanity with redemption lies at the heart of our problem. After all, having received Christ, having experienced the extraordinary transforming power of the New Birth, shouldn’t sin be a thing of the past?  Paul seemed to think otherwise. In fact, in order to frame redemption accurately, he confronts us with the reality of this struggle in the lives of believers. Consider his remarks: 

For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.  Romans 7:15 (NASB)

This is an open admission of the conflict which unfolds in the lives of those who are Christ’s.  Our failure to more courageously explore the implications of this conflict, to probe its meaning and openly acknowledge its presence as a dynamic in our lives, has not been helpful. By obscuring its reality, we’ve offered confusion. 

Through our silence, shame has only gained strength. By drawing back the curtain on this struggle, God’s Word offers more than commentary – it points to the way out of this quandary. 

Coming in our next installment – A Powerful Strategy