Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
A university student had written, in distress. A musician, and talented. But when preachers preached, he was confused and bewildered. He found solace in music. I told him I understood. In listening to a Mozart or Beethoven Concerto, I revel in hearing something that was written RIGHT and is performed RIGHT, every note so right that one senses it is unimprovable. (Is there such a thing as musical righteousness?) I too long to hear the gospel proclaimed RIGHT because it is understood RIGHT. (In other words, wouldn't that be righteousness by faith?)
This youth heard a sermon that tells young people to think of themselves as no good sinners. Then he hears another one: you must love yourself. He asked: who's right? As I understand the gospel, the entire human race would have perished forever "in Adam" when he sinned if Christ had not been "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Thus, in honest truth, apart from Him, we would be (and are) nothing. But we are something--we have been created in the image of God and redeemed by Christ's sacrifice. Thus we find our identity "in Him." We respect ourselves--not because of some inherent pantheistic worth in ourselves, but as the purchase of the cross of Christ. This at once delivers us from arrogance and pride because of how well we do and what we see ourselves to be, and at the same time delivers us from groveling in the dust as though we are worthless. In other words, true self-worth is "in Christ." Now we can hold our head high, and at the same time cherish true humility of soul, realizing that our identity, our future, our prestige, all we are and will ever be, is by the grace of Christ.
So, is there a constant tension? Yes! What makes your Steinway or Baldwin sound so grand is the constant tension the strings are under. Loosen them to be flabby and the music is gone. Luther wisely said we are sinners and saints at the same time. Yes! We never "love" self, but we respect ourselves "in Christ." Jesus taught us that as we are born naturally loving self, so now we are to love others (Matt. 19:19). We have enormous self-respect and healthy humility at the same time--"in Christ."
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 15, 1999.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
A university student had written, in distress. A musician, and talented. But when preachers preached, he was confused and bewildered. He found solace in music. I told him I understood. In listening to a Mozart or Beethoven Concerto, I revel in hearing something that was written RIGHT and is performed RIGHT, every note so right that one senses it is unimprovable. (Is there such a thing as musical righteousness?) I too long to hear the gospel proclaimed RIGHT because it is understood RIGHT. (In other words, wouldn't that be righteousness by faith?)
This youth heard a sermon that tells young people to think of themselves as no good sinners. Then he hears another one: you must love yourself. He asked: who's right? As I understand the gospel, the entire human race would have perished forever "in Adam" when he sinned if Christ had not been "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Thus, in honest truth, apart from Him, we would be (and are) nothing. But we are something--we have been created in the image of God and redeemed by Christ's sacrifice. Thus we find our identity "in Him." We respect ourselves--not because of some inherent pantheistic worth in ourselves, but as the purchase of the cross of Christ. This at once delivers us from arrogance and pride because of how well we do and what we see ourselves to be, and at the same time delivers us from groveling in the dust as though we are worthless. In other words, true self-worth is "in Christ." Now we can hold our head high, and at the same time cherish true humility of soul, realizing that our identity, our future, our prestige, all we are and will ever be, is by the grace of Christ.
So, is there a constant tension? Yes! What makes your Steinway or Baldwin sound so grand is the constant tension the strings are under. Loosen them to be flabby and the music is gone. Luther wisely said we are sinners and saints at the same time. Yes! We never "love" self, but we respect ourselves "in Christ." Jesus taught us that as we are born naturally loving self, so now we are to love others (Matt. 19:19). We have enormous self-respect and healthy humility at the same time--"in Christ."
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 15, 1999.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
