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Getting Along
It goes without saying that actions and attitudes such as murder,
adultery, slander, theft, hatred, greed, deception, cruelty and an evil
heart hurt us and hurt everyone around us. They result in turning
people against one another, damaging or destroying friendships and families.
They create enemies.
Whether or not we use the word “sin” to describe such things, these are
the kinds of things that make life miserable instead of joyful.
And that’s why the Bible does call them sin. An evil heart, Jesus said,
is a fountain of evil actions and attitudes. And evil is evil not because it
violates a certain rule in a certain list, but simply because it hurts
people.
God made humanity in his own image, and God’s image is not solitary and
alone – God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three divine hypostases
or persona (to use the Greek and Latin terms) in perfect, loving
union and harmonious relationship with one another.
Perichoresis is the Greek word for it, meaning “mutual indwelling” or
“co-inherence.” Being in God’s image is like being hardwired for love, for
community, for right relationships.
It is when we are forced to be alone or when our relationships are sour,
that we are the most miserable. On the other hand, when our relationships
are positive and strong, we are the most joyful. We are created for good
relationships and that is exactly what the gospel is all about – restoring
us to right relationships with God and with others.
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:8-10:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by
his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through
the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be
saved through his life!”
Like a thorn, sin by any other name hurts just as much. But the good news
is that in Jesus Christ’s atoning ministry God has already forgiven our
sinful heart, healed it, and reconciled us to himself, freeing us for right
relationships with him and with other people.
We only need to open our healed eyes to see it and open our healed hearts
to accept it and embrace it. In Jesus, God has revealed his perfect love for
us, and even if we refuse him forever, his love will never cease.
I’m Joseph Tkach speaking of LIFE.
Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that
I am?" We have a free booklet, The God Revealed in Jesus Christ,
to help you answer that question. In the United States, to request your
free copy, see http://www.gci.org/god/revealed Or call
us toll-free at 1-800-423-4444.
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