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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Getting Close, Getting Dirty

Life's not fair.  Most of us think we have already figured that out, but I'm not so sure.

We know that strangers may not be kind, that politicians and businessmen may not act honorably, and that employers may put their own interests before ours, but we surely expect spouses to love well, friends to be there when we need them, and church people to practice what they preach.

But they don't.  And, unlike strangers, the ones we care about hurt us when they don't.  Sometimes a lot. When they do, it's important to remember something.


We are all cut from the same cloth--dirty rags.  There is no one on this earth for us to love but other sinners.

I do not like suffering for someone else's sin, but if my son is an addict, I will.  If my best friend cheats on her husband, I feel the grime of it.  If my pastor steals from the church treasury, I know the sting of his defamation.  The more we invest in a relationship, the closer we get to someone, the more we rub up on their dirt, and they on ours. 

There is an upside to  this, though.  When we bear with each other's faults, we stay together to enjoy the triumphs. 

After the suffering of His soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.--Isaiah 53:11
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.--2Corinthians 5:21

We, who are already dirty, further foul one another.  It's a dirty world.  But Christ, who knew no corruption, assumed all of ours and in doing so, He makes us all clean.

Sin hurts those closest to the sinner. The closer we get to one another, the more we risk. A hug transfers more mud than a handshake.  But that's OK.  We'll all get clean clothes later.

13 comments:

  1. Love the post! Love the pic'! Hug anyone?

    I am so thankful that in Jesus we have the cure for the disease of sin! Knowing that, we don't have to live in fear of sin. Yes, we should recognize the danger, but we don;t have to live in fear.

    Thanks for posting!

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  2. This is so true. Often we think that Christianity will make things easy or fair, but that is not a promise for our life here on earth. And sins hurt innocent people and well as guilty. Thanks for sharing. Gail

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  3. I am reminded of the verse in Galatians that tells us to bear one another's burdens.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. Such a great reminder this morning. Beautiful. We'll get clean clothes later--I love it!! Thank you for this! God bless you, friend

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  5. Betrayal by the people closest to us certainly hurts the most... but forgiveness between the same people is the strongest. Some of my closest relationships have "gone through the fire" so to speak, and the fact that we're still friends just shows how amazing they are.

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    1. You are right about this...a point well made, and potent testimony to the healing power of God. Thanks.

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  6. Wow! This is so true, which is why so many people build up walls. It is much safer and more comfortable to try to live sanitized lives rather than to love someone that has the potential to rub their dirt off on us. Thank you for this post.

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  7. Love this photo!! Its amazing but true how we built walls maybe that is safe...But I agree tests bring on testimony and that very healing and powerful!!! Thanks for this today.

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  8. So often we are afraid of getting dirty and don't realize how much we are missing out on.

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  9. Spiritually, family is family. And the good and bad on all sides definitely flows together and creates some challenges and blessings, nearly constantly. When we can help and encourage each other that's a "God-job" during our whole life. Good examples you mentioned. In a number of them, been there, done that.

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  10. Just terrific. Sister? You pack a powerful punch in a few short paragraphs. Keep it up! Your words matter in this place.

    xxoo

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  11. Oh my word... such wisdom! So true and beautiful how you brought it back to the gospel. Just wow. Thank you for sharibg and linking up!

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  12. Beautiful. Thank you fro sharing this. SO well articulated. And the picture speaks as well.

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