Seth’s World View

I’m reading a few good books right now. Just finished The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen, and am still reading The Miracle of Dialogue by Neil Howe. In the latter, he just spoke about how dialogue and true communication require us to be given enough information to make a definitive choice, and that as Christians, often we are put in place where we give assent without ever having that assent challenged, so we don’t truly own the choice.

He then talks about moralism, being a Christian because of what we do, in contrast to being a Christian because of what Christ has done for us. The first produced self-righteousness (or self-deprication), while the latter produces thankfulness. I believe in what Christ has done, though it’s so easy for that to get lost. While I’ve always been a Christian, I have had my moments where I wondered about it, is it really real? Is it worth it? Am I good enough? Can I ever call myself a Christian? And you know, when I’m reminded that it’s about having faith in what Jesus did for me, that by faith in Him I’m fogiven, I’m righteous, I’m good. And that I don’t have to be anything, other than a guy desperately in need of love, from God, from people, who doesn’t always understand God, who has lapses of faith, but who holds onto Jesus and what Jesus did. I take great comfort in that.

We live in a works-based world. The notion of grace is most welcome.