Thursday, April 15, 2010

do not dispair

As I read the sad, sad excuses for denying the existence of sin, for denying the incongruence of sin and the call to right living in Christ, for using all the wrong behavior of others to justify sin, for the denial of clear Biblical teaching, blah blah blah, in relationship to Jennifer Knapp's "coming out", I found the following refreshing and once again, as with all Biblical truth, freeing.

“Christ has been judged in order to free us from the judgment of God. He has been prosecuted as a criminal so that we criminals may be pardoned. He has been scourged by godless hands to take away from us the scourge of the devil. He called out in pain in order to save us from eternal wailing. He poured out tears so that he could wipe away our tears.

He has died for us to live. He felt the pains of hell through and through, so that we might never feel them. He was humiliated in order to bring forth the medicine for our pride; was crowned with thorns, in order to obtain for us the heavenly crown.

He has suffered at the hands of all so that he might furnish salvation for all. He was darkened in death so that we would live in the light of heavenly glory. He heard disgust and contempt so that we might hear the angelic jubilation in heaven.

Do not despair then, O faithful soul.”

—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations VII

HT:OFI

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