Back in 2008 I made the observation that we cannot overcome original sin or its corruption on our own. Try as we might, we are recidivists (people given to repeat the same thing over and over). To put it bluntly, we are often like dogs that keep going back to sniff and lap at their own vomit. We are sinners who just don’t learn from our faults, foibles, and mistakes. St. Paul said in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” In a very real sense, we are like small children who claim that they don’t mean to disobey parents or hurt others but keep repeating their past transgressions. And the problem with this is that we all stand corrupted and culpable—we sin in thought, word, and deed and gain for ourselves the wages of sin (which is death).
Sin and its influence corrupt every aspect of our lives. It taints what could and should be good and beautiful. It destroys even what we hope to preserve and celebrate. It is remorseless in its destruction.
Because we are sinners we must, like King David, approach God and simply throw ourselves on His mercy. In Psalm 51 he prayed:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12)
We are reminded of God’s mercy and grace in John 3:16-18.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
Jesus Christ went to Calvary’s cross to suffer and die for sinners like you and me. He was carried to His tomb because of our sins. He was raised to life again because He won our redemption and everlasting salvation! Jesus Christ was how King David was restored and upheld. Jesus Christ is how we also can and will be forgiven, restored, and upheld!
Jesus Christ is someone we can celebrate and share! He is the Good News we need to hear. He is the Good News we can celebrate!
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen.