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The Joy of Forgiveness and the Seven Deadly Sins
I live in Washington D.C., a city in which mistakes are messaged and
shortcomings are spun. True confession and true repentance do not occur —
unless it is politically advantageous. Naturally, cynicism runs
rampant.
In this environment, though we all know our own weaknesses, grace is rarely offered for failures.
Which is why Lent is such an important season on the Christian calendar. It is an opportunity to pause and reflect, to examine our hearts, and to acknowledge the ways in which we have fallen short. But we don’t confess our failures to a public waiting to crucify us. Instead, we confess our sins to one who loves us and was willing to be crucified in order to reconcile us once and for all.
Lent is rarely talked about as a celebration, but it is an opportunity to revel in the joy of forgiveness.
In the 32nd Psalm, David describes this joy, saying, “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Because though we must do the painful work of self-examination, as Christians we do so knowing that in Jesus, we have “a great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). This high priest is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, interceding for us and offering mercy and grace when we confess our sin
Here at Sojourners, we’ve come up with several ways to help you in your Lenten observance. On Wednesday, April 16 at 4:45 EST, I’ll offer a Lenten reflection called “The Power of the Cross” for BBC Radio. And currently, we’re featuring a blog series that explores The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, and Envy. Some of our writers reflect on the way they have battled a particular sin and other writers explore the theology behind the sins. But all bravely offer their own public confessions, inviting us to join them in reflection and turning away from those sins and turning toward God instead.
I hope that you’ll join us in celebrating the joy of forgiveness this Lenten season.
SEE THE FULL 7 DEADLY SINS SERIES.
Jim Wallis is president of Sojourners . His book, On God's Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned About Serving the Common Good, is now available. Watch the Story of the Common Good HERE. Follow Jim on Twitter @JimWallis.
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Last Sunday in Los Angeles, Cathleen Falsani sat down with Ari Handel, a screenwriter and frequent collaborator with Noah director Darren Aronofsky, with whom he co-wrote the film and the graphic novel, Noah, upon which it was based, to discuss some of the extra-biblical elements of the $150 million movie.
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I don't know what came over me. Was it what Noel Castellanos (CEO of CCDA) had said? What Jim Wallis (President of Sojourners) had said? Perhaps. I couldn't keep the tears from coming. Walking up Broadway Street in Los Angeles in the middle of a Saturday afternoon as a crowd of people blew horns, held signs, and chanted, "Immigration reform now," I wept. It was because of Ivone. I was even wearing my Faith is Greater Than Fear shirt but lurking along the sidewalk, not intending to get involved. But it's too late for that. I love Ivone like a sister; I'm already knee-deep in it.
The Sexist Effects of Sexting the Biblical Text
by Brian E. Konkol
Jesus showed that both men and women were created in God’s image, thus he did not overlook gender-based diversity, but he refused to allow gender-based bias to limit the dignity of either of women or men. For example, Jesus consistently opposed the cultural devaluation of women's bodies (Luke 8:40-49), he spoke with women openly and visibly (John 4:4-42), and unlike his religious contemporaries, Jesus welcomed women to study alongside him in preparation for service and leadership (Luke 10:38-42). In the midst of it all, the scriptures reveal that gender justice was self-evident, implicit, and most importantly, a consistent counter-cultural presence in the words and deeds of Jesus.
For God So Loved Fred Phelps: On the Gods of Hate and Scandals
by Adam Ericksen
God is not like me or Fred Phelps. And I am thankful for that. Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, died last week. Phelps and his church are infamously known for picketing the funerals of lesbian and gay people and the funerals of American soldiers with signs saying "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11." There is no doubt that Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church have spread a lot of hate and caused a lot of pain over the last few decades. If you didn't know it before, you know it now: theology matters. What we say about God matters because, like all of us, Phelps was a reflection of the god he worshiped.
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The Joy of Forgiveness and the Seven Deadly Sins
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In this environment, though we all know our own weaknesses, grace is rarely offered for failures.
Which is why Lent is such an important season on the Christian calendar. It is an opportunity to pause and reflect, to examine our hearts, and to acknowledge the ways in which we have fallen short. But we don’t confess our failures to a public waiting to crucify us. Instead, we confess our sins to one who loves us and was willing to be crucified in order to reconcile us once and for all.
Lent is rarely talked about as a celebration, but it is an opportunity to revel in the joy of forgiveness.
In the 32nd Psalm, David describes this joy, saying, “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Because though we must do the painful work of self-examination, as Christians we do so knowing that in Jesus, we have “a great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). This high priest is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, interceding for us and offering mercy and grace when we confess our sin
Here at Sojourners, we’ve come up with several ways to help you in your Lenten observance. On Wednesday, April 16 at 4:45 EST, I’ll offer a Lenten reflection called “The Power of the Cross” for BBC Radio. And currently, we’re featuring a blog series that explores The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, and Envy. Some of our writers reflect on the way they have battled a particular sin and other writers explore the theology behind the sins. But all bravely offer their own public confessions, inviting us to join them in reflection and turning away from those sins and turning toward God instead.
I hope that you’ll join us in celebrating the joy of forgiveness this Lenten season.
SEE THE FULL 7 DEADLY SINS SERIES.
Jim Wallis is president of Sojourners . His book, On God's Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned About Serving the Common Good, is now available. Watch the Story of the Common Good HERE. Follow Jim on Twitter @JimWallis.
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ON THE GOD'S POLITICS BLOGView the latest articles from the God's Politics blog »
The Fallacy of Good v. Evil: A Q&A with 'Noah' Writer Ari Handel
by Cathleen Falsani
Last Sunday in Los Angeles, Cathleen Falsani sat down with Ari Handel, a screenwriter and frequent collaborator with Noah director Darren Aronofsky, with whom he co-wrote the film and the graphic novel, Noah, upon which it was based, to discuss some of the extra-biblical elements of the $150 million movie.
Living with 'An Illegal:' How a Friendship Changed My Perspective on Immigration
by Stacey Schwenker
I don't know what came over me. Was it what Noel Castellanos (CEO of CCDA) had said? What Jim Wallis (President of Sojourners) had said? Perhaps. I couldn't keep the tears from coming. Walking up Broadway Street in Los Angeles in the middle of a Saturday afternoon as a crowd of people blew horns, held signs, and chanted, "Immigration reform now," I wept. It was because of Ivone. I was even wearing my Faith is Greater Than Fear shirt but lurking along the sidewalk, not intending to get involved. But it's too late for that. I love Ivone like a sister; I'm already knee-deep in it.
The Sexist Effects of Sexting the Biblical Text
by Brian E. Konkol
Jesus showed that both men and women were created in God’s image, thus he did not overlook gender-based diversity, but he refused to allow gender-based bias to limit the dignity of either of women or men. For example, Jesus consistently opposed the cultural devaluation of women's bodies (Luke 8:40-49), he spoke with women openly and visibly (John 4:4-42), and unlike his religious contemporaries, Jesus welcomed women to study alongside him in preparation for service and leadership (Luke 10:38-42). In the midst of it all, the scriptures reveal that gender justice was self-evident, implicit, and most importantly, a consistent counter-cultural presence in the words and deeds of Jesus.
For God So Loved Fred Phelps: On the Gods of Hate and Scandals
by Adam Ericksen
God is not like me or Fred Phelps. And I am thankful for that. Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, died last week. Phelps and his church are infamously known for picketing the funerals of lesbian and gay people and the funerals of American soldiers with signs saying "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for 9/11." There is no doubt that Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church have spread a lot of hate and caused a lot of pain over the last few decades. If you didn't know it before, you know it now: theology matters. What we say about God matters because, like all of us, Phelps was a reflection of the god he worshiped.
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