At the heart of sin is attempting to put something in the place of God. Let's take the example of sexual lust. According to Jesus, sexual lust is clearly a sin,
"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a women with lustful intent
has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28
A common misconception of both Christians and non-Christians alike is to assume that sexual lust is a sin because sex is bad in itself. This couldn't be further from the truth. Sexual lust is a sin because it is taking something that God made for our good, and perverting it. Sexual lust is a sin because it is looking to find our ultimate need for intimacy in sex. It is trusting in sex to fill a void only God was meant to fill.
Sexual lust promises a false intimacy. Lust says, "Long for what you cannot have and you will be happy."
The gospel promises true intimacy. The gospel says, "Rejoice in what you do have in Jesus, and you will be happy."
Our desire for intimacy is not wrong. But, it becomes sin when we look to fill this need with something other than God. Jonathan Dodson points out in his book, "Gospel Centered Discipleship" that we need to continually remind ourselves of the false promises of sin verse the true promises of Christ. Lust will never satisfy. It leaves us feeling empty and craving more. It never truly quenches. Jesus truly satisfies. He delivers on his promises.
*much of the above was taken from Jonathan Dodson's, "Gospel-Centered Discipleship."
With all due respect, I have had a completely different experience. Intimacy with my wife has brought all kinds of fulfillment while, when I was a Christian honestly looking for God, I felt nothing.
ReplyDeleteGrundy-Thank you for your comment. I don't think my post was intended to mean that marriage or love can't bring a deep sense of fulfillment. Rather, I think God made marriage (or relationships in general) as a gift for our blessing and for our good. However, I think when we make a spouse, (or friend) in the position of God, they will inevitably fail us. We are finite people. We don't last forever (on this earth atleast), we are imperfect in so many ways, and because of that, I think when we look to find true fulfillment in a person, it is ultimately destined to failure.
ReplyDeleteAs far as not feeling anything when you were honestly looking for God. I feel you on that. I think a lot of people in the Bible do to. For example, take David, known as a man after God's own heart, who wrote Psalm 13, in which he expresses his feelings of being forgotten by God. Only thing I think I can say is, 1) we all struggle with feelings of not feeling close to God, 2) Look to the Cross. This is how we know God has a deep, passionate, everlasting, beyond comprehension type love for us. A love deeper than any human relationship. God didn't spare his own Son for you, it doesn't get much better than that.
Kinda long response, but if you got more thoughts, would love to hear them Grundy....