The Cross of Humility

"There is, then, a difference between sinners and sinners.  There are some sinners who confess that they have sinned but do not long to be justified; instead, they give up hope and go on sinning, so that, when they die, they despair and, while they live, they are enslaved to the world.  There are other sinners who confess that they sin and have sinned, but they are sorry for this, hate themselves for it, long to be justified, and under groaning constantly pray to God for righteousness.  This is the people of God: it constantly brings the judgment of the cross to bear upon itself." 

This statement of Martin Luther's has got me to thinking about my struggles and my desire for God's righteousness to crush the sin in my life and the bondage to self; to obliterate my ego and self-centrism.  He also says that, to be justified by faith is to give up pride in ourselves."  So hard to do and a definite struggle for me.  These statements of Luther shed light upon Jesus' words to deny oneself and pick up one's cross daily.  Humility is the key...picking up the cross of humility to strike down the prideful self and bring about the righteousness of God.  Only then can we truly love God and others.

Through the grace of God, we, the broken, are justified by faith.  Through the grace of God, he does something for us that we cannot do for ourselves.  Luther likens the church to an infirmary where the sick, damaged, and broken gather.  It is in this infirmary that healing, restoration, and reconciliation to God happens.  It is in this restorative process that we see grace at work.  Where we were once powerless to do anything about our brokenness, the power of God breaks the power of sin and death and creates in us a new person on a path in relationship with God; a reciprocal relationship in which God expects things from us (like loving our neighbors and our enemies) and we can also expect something from God (his grace, mercy, love, and hope).  God never fails at providing these but we fail at loving others.  We put down the cross of humility and pick up the sword of self; and when we do we again must pick up the cross of humility.

Thank God for the grace, mercy, love, and hope that he extends to all.  If only we were able to extend the same to those we encounter each day.