The Human Answer (Part Two of Three)

What does Romans offer us? How shall we be free of the bondage of the mud? We try to fix ourselves or just seek to be “one” with the mud. But human potential, “works-based” ideals are doomed to self-righteousness, hypocrisy, manipulations, self-delusion, and failure. The best moral religions and philosophies deal in human strength or virtuous activities (arete, see Aristotle). They might shame us about right and wrong but do not lead us to the God who is the source of “right and good (dykai-osun-a or righteousness).” These moralisms and “super-therapies of wholeness” often involve denial or good behavior mixed with wrong reasons. They are just too bent and weak to work. Colin Williams, commenting on this “bent,” reminds us that it is not that we cannot do good things but that these good capacities are twisted from their true course and are wrongly purposed. Actions that are often judged good by objective social and moral standards are, in fact, religiously corrupt when they issue from a life separated from God. John Wesley actually saw these “good deeds” as evil that keep us from God (Sermons I, pg. 38), “they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done.” Sobering indeed! So take the example of Jacob, he claims God’s promised blessing by deceiving his father. It was God’s good gained not in God’s way. It was God’s will for him to be the chosen descendant and by definition was “good,” yet his means involved sinful deception. It destroyed his relationship with his brother. This story is repeated. Thus, we need rescuing. Enter the gospel. A new life in Christ which doesn’t proceed from right behavior, but results in righteous or “holy fruit.” A gift from God.

Barry