Chapter 10
What I appreciated most about this chapter was the way the way Keller universalized sin, without making everyone sound like they are offensively evil. If I look back over my personal history in sharing the message of salvation with other people, I’ve struggled with a way to present the problem of sin that doesn’t come across as so offensive, that the other person believes I am basically calling them a not too distant relative of Hitler. I think my problem is that I’ve been operating with a behavior oriented definition of sin rather than a heart oriented definition. I’ve made the secondary the primary. A heart that makes anything besides God ultimate will eventually lead to behavior that can be viewed as bad.
Unfortunately I have seen this problem play out in my own life in more ways than I’d care to admit. In my mid-twenties I decided to leave my job as a CPA (which I eventually came back to) and pursue full-time ministry. My first full-time ministry job was teaching at a small Bible study for single adults just outside of Atlanta. Looking back on that season of my life, I am amazed at how quickly “teaching well” became an ultimate thing in my life.
When my teaching fell flat or I didn’t receive praise from others, I was devastated. It would impact my mood for days. I felt worthless. It never forgave me. When my teaching went well and I did receive praise, it was empty and stressful. Would I be able to perform again? Were they just being nice? Do people really like me? It never satisfied me.
I could go on and on and share more stories of how I have done the same thing with friendships in high school, a girlfriend in college, my career as a CPA, my physical image, etc. There are always things I’m tempted to make ultimate and in every case, I’m never satisfied when I achieve them and I am never forgiven when I fail them.
Praise be to God that in Jesus Christ we have the one “ultimate” that when obtained is deeply satisfying and when failed graciously forgives. What a privilege to be ambassadors of this ultimate God who satisfies and forgives and who chooses to change the world not by starting with behavior change, but rather by rightly ordering our hearts.
2 responses so far
I hear you Adam. I have had simialr experiences of putting something in the place of God during my life too. Never worked for me either. I learned a new concept form Chapter 10. Sin is not only doing something bad but also elevating something good to God-like status. I’ve watched some evangelicals on the show “Way of the Master” and their approach has been to show how each person has violated at least one of the ten commandments and that makes them sinners in God’s eyes and therefore shows them their need for a savior. But they never use the first commandment when presenting their case. I’m with you. It seems showing how we very eaisly commit the sin of idolitry would be a kinder gentler way of showing that we are sinners and need a savior.
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Adam Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Thanks for the response Katie. I’m anxious to read Keller’s next book called Counterfeit Gods. My understanding is that he really unpacks the concept of idolatry in this book. Such a great approach. Thanks for participating in ShelfLife.
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