Jack’s Winning Words 11/1/13
“I’m not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” (Nelson Mandela) Most of us don’t measure up to the conventional view of sainthood. Measuring up to sinner-hood is another story. One of Luther’s teachings is that we are both saint and sinner. We follow the advice of the angel on one shoulder at times and the devil’s advice at other times. I go along with Mandela…and keep on trying! ;-) Jack
FROM SHARIN' SHARON: I really like Luther's take on being saint and sinner. That kind of realism really helps the reputation of the church. Know a person who always speaks about his experiences of members of a certain denomination--how they go to church on Sunday and then how they go about all week still sinning but knowing they are forgiven and do the same stuff all over. Also heard at the AA celebration dinner at our church last Sunday a person testify that he had gone to 49 49!!!!!!! rehab treatments and finally finally!!!!!! on his 50th try he became fully able to stay sober and has been sober ever since. One of his secrets is he got a sponsor and then also started to turn his attention to helping other addicts--which is why he was giving the presentation. Saint and sinner indeed--Christianity is much stronger in this world for having humble and realistic people like Luther and Mandela and all the others who don't put themselves on a high horse.====JACK: The AA man's experience reminds me of the Churchill advice during the dark days of WW 2...."Never, never, never give up!"
FROM HC CHUCK: All believers are sinners and all believers are Saints, so all Saints are sinners who Believe====JACK: You should send that in to "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."
FROM MICHIZONA RAY: Maybe we would all be better off if neither saint or sinner classifications were a consideration. I have sinned and I have behaved as a saint --- so what? Who am I right now? How and what do I choose right now? Concern for sainthood or sinner status seems so useless and applicable to Jesus' comment, "Let the dead bury the dead!" I'll admit our history of mistakes and memory of righteous experience can serve as guideposts; but as to a classification of sinner or saint --- let the dead bury the dead. It's a vain exercise indeed.====JACK: To have an accurate understanding of a quote, it's necessary to be aware of the context. When Luther wrote of being both sinner and saint, it was a theological statement based on what was happening in the Church in the 16th century. Mandella used the quote as it applied to the situation where people were referring to him as a saint. And, you are commenting about your view of the subject. You, Luther and Mandella would have an interesting time exchanging ideas.
FROM TARMART REV: running along beside you..."working hard to show the results of our salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear" (Philippians 2:11-13 NLT)====JACK: Will there be any sinners in "your" heaven?
FROM BLAZING OAKS: HA! "It isn't the mountain that wears you out, it's the pebble in your shoe" (Mohammad Ali) The little things can get ya! I think we can all identify with this Mandela quote, which is our human condition said succinctly!====JACK: We have to be careful not to become too "proud" when people try to make pastors and pastor's wives into icons of saintliness.
FROM TAMPA SHIRL: Very appropriate for All Saints Day.====JACK: You noticed! Did you notice the same thing yesterday?
4 comments:
I really like Luther's take on being saint and sinner. That kind of realism really helps the reputation of the church. Know a person who always speaks about his experiences of members of a certain denomination--how they go to church on Sunday and then how they go about all week still sinning but knowing they are forgiven and do the same stuff all over. Also heard at the AA celebration dinner at our church last Sunday a person testify that he had gone to 49 49!!!!!!! rehab treatments and finally finally!!!!!! on his 50th try he became fully able to stay sober and has been sober ever since. One of his secrets is he got a sponsor and then also started to turn his attention to helping other addicts--which is why he was giving the presentation. Saint and sinner indeed--Christianity is much stronger in this world for having humble and realistic people like Luther and Mandela and all the others who don't put themselves on a high horse.
S.H. in MI
Maybe we would all be better off if neither saint or sinner classifications were a consideration. I have sinned and I have behaved as a saint --- so what? Who am I right now? How and what do I choose right now? Concern for sainthood or sinner status seems so useless and applicable to Jesus' comment, "Let the dead bury the dead!" I'll admit our history of mistakes and memory of righteous experience can serve as guideposts; but as to a classification of sinner or saint --- let the dead bury the dead. It's a vain exercise indeed.
I have often experienced the Idea that I was born too late...I would love to have talked with Joseph Campbell, Abraham Maslow, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Carl Jung, and many of that time -- I was just a generation too late. Kierkegaard and Luther were a few centuries earlier; but I'd have loved that chat as well. Maybe I heaven we can...but I doubt that it will make any difference then!
By the way, what I wrote I would have said to Luther and Mandela because my comments are based on the context of my understanding. This is a good reason for conversations and the awareness for the different contexts that exist. To thine own self be true.
Post a Comment