Friday, January 18, 2008
Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.
THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
A Christian is righteous and a sinner at the same time -- both a friend and an enemy of God. The philosophers will not admit this paradox because they don't accept the right way of becoming justified. That's why they demanded that people keep on doing good works until they don't feel sin anymore. This caused many people to become very distraught because they were striving as much as they could to become completely righteous but could never achieve it. Even among those who spread this godless teaching, countless numbers of them have fallen into despair in the hour of death. This would have happened to me if Christ hadn't mercifully looked upon me and freed me from this error.
In contrast, we teach and comfort troubled sinners this way: Dear brothers and sisters, it's impossible for you to become so righteous in this life that you won't feel sin anymore. It's impossible for your body to become as bright and spotless as the sun. Though you still have wrinkles and spots, in spite of this, you are holy.
But you may wonder, "How can I be holy since I sin and feel sinful?" Recognizing and feeling your sin is good. Thank God, and don't despair. It's a step toward health whenever a sick person recognizes his disease.
"But how can I be freed from sin?" Run to Christ, the Physician, who heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). He makes sinners holy.
-- Martin Luther
