Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 144)

2. The Perfect Christian.

Some people would say, "Paul is talking about how he used to struggle with his sin until he reached that higher life.” The “perfect” Christian used to struggle with sin but not anymore. They are above such things now. This is called higher life Christianity, “I’m above sin and temptation.” It’s called the victorious Christian life. “In heaven, I’m going to be perfect, and I’ve made so much progress that I’m pretty much already there.”

If you grew up in a holiness tradition (a Wesleyan church, a Nazarene church, a Methodist church, a Pentecostal church, or some Charismatic churches), then you were taught you can reach a state where you basically are sinless and perfect. The Holy Spirit has done so much work in you, and you’re just one step away from heaven. I once saw a guy preaching (screaming, actually) on the street with a megaphone, and he literally claimed not to have sinned since 1972. Immediately, I had two thoughts. First, He seems really proud. He’s telling us publicly how perfect he is, so that’s not very humble. The second thought was, He is very judgmental. He’s not loving of people at all. He’s very unloving, and he’s making it between himself and the people, not between the people and Jesus.

Pride is the worst sin of all. Pride got Satan kicked out of heaven. Sometimes religious pride is the worst sin of all. The most religious people tell you how holy they are and how unholy you are.

3. The Honest Christian.

I don’t think Paul was talking about the carnal Christian who belongs to Jesus, but Jesus has affected no change in their life. I don’t think he’s talking about the perfect Christian who has unlocked the secret to the victorious higher life. I think Paul is speaking as an honest Christian. The honest Christian says, “I’m not who I was, but I’m not who I will be when God is done with me. I’m new, but I’m not perfect. I’ve made some progress, but I’m not there yet. Looking at how far I’ve come, I feel encouraged. But if I look at how far I still have to go, I see reality.”

The good news is this: God is not done with you. You’re in the process, the fight, and the journey. Paul says, “I don’t do the things I want to do. I do the things I don’t want to, and I’m so frustrated.” For the Christian, God changes the nature, the desires, and the power to such a degree that when we go down instead of up, we hate it because our desires have changed. The Christian who’s in the struggle is not the hypocrite. The hypocrite is the Christian who quits the struggle and gives up on the fight.

Today’s Reflection

What is the most challenging part of the struggle for you right now?