There is always hope, if you are honest about yourself

July 29-30, 2016

The 17^th Century French philosopher and theologian Blaise Pascal once said that there are two principal things we need to know and keep in mind:

1)      That we have a God.

2)      That we are wretched sinners.

Both of these things need to be remembered, not just one. If we believe that we have a God but don’t believe that we are sinners, then we fall into grievous error, risk getting pumped up with pride, and do not avail ourselves of the great gift Jesus Christ gave to us by dying for our sinners. As St. John said in his first letter: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (I John 1:8-10)

On the other hand, if we know that we are wretched sinners, but do not know (or believe) that we have a God, a God Who forgives our sins through Jesus Christ, through Whom we have salvation, then we are the most miserable creatures of all. Consider a time when you have fallen deeply into sin. Imagine that during that time you forgot that you have a God Who would forgive you, but that you are alone in your wretchedness with no hope of salvation or release, then how miserable and hopeless would you be?

Pascal says that this condition is the wretchedness of the atheist. I must admit, however, that I have found in some cases, atheists who do not admit to any sin at all and who are lost in their ignorance. We have only to read the newspapers on any given day to realize how many souls there are in the world who have no concept of sin, or guilt, or responsibility for adding to the deposit of evil in the world. And recent history has shown that there are those who believe there is a God, but that He is a God of vengeance, and wrath, and violence and hatred for those who do not think like they do.

Therefore, I would like to suggest that there are not two, but three things that we need to keep in mind at all times.

1)      That we are wretched sinners.

2)      That we have a God.

3)      That this God is a God of  love and forgiveness Who has sent His Son through Whose death we are set free from our sin, gain forgiveness and healing, and through his mercy gain salvation as long as we confess our sin.

God bless you.