The Positive Power of Self-Loathing, Pt. 2 of 2

It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit” (2 Pet. 2:22). Peter is painting a pretty pukey picture. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) Something that ought to be revolting has become desirable for consumption. But Peter is not talking about canine proclivities, but the nauseating behavior of some false followers of Jesus. They have lost their ability to be disgusted by the disgusting!

This isn't the only place this sickening trend shows up: In Romans 1, Paul pens a laundry list of the repugnant propensities of sinful men. He caps his list with this statement: And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Rom. 1:32). Here are people who have no loathing of defilement, to be sure. They take it further by applauding others who share their same sin-sickness.

Who is capable of being healed, the man who is seriously ill and knows it, or the one who is seriously ill but insists he's just fine? This is precisely the question that framed Jesus ministry. And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). Jesus is intent on helping those who are sick to admit it and get help. This ability to self-diagnose is a GIFT from God. Paul knows that when a man becomes sick of how he's living, He has God to thank for it. He notes, ...God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses (2 Tim. 2:25-26). God is the One who gives repentance, repentance leads to the ability to see how things really are, and this can restore a man from his sin-induced delirium.

Here's the bottom line. We live in a world that finds what is morally repugnant entertaining and attractive. Our society even applauds and celebrates the reprehensible. But praise God for the power to be sickened by sin, to loathe it, to want to get as far from the offensive smell of it as possible. This is one of God's good gifts to man, the power for a man to loathe sin around and within himself. It is what drives such a man to seek the pure, sweet fruit of righteousness. This is not the power of positive thinking put the positive power of self-loathing.

Comments

[RLF]

Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Once someone has experienced God's presence as an outgrowth of repentance (a"clean slate" as it were), no other pursuit or outcome is as satisfying or fulfilling. Worldlings are stuck in a vortex that sucks the life out of them, and they don't even know it. It's pitiful,really, and despite the opposition I might face from the world in doing and advocating things that please and matter to God, I keep pursuing drowning wordlings. I'm living for eternity, not the now. Someday, someone will thank me for loving them enough to get past the "vomit" and cut to the heart.

[Jeff]

Got a question...
I absolutely understand what you've said the last two days. When you give the summary, you're talking about how we're given the gift to be repulsed by sin...what if you feel like your called into the midst of sin, not to be attracted to it but to lead people to Jesus so that they can see just how disgusting it is?

[Jim Fleming]

Jeff,
Yes, repulsion is a gift. Now your second comment gets at something profound. Our pride can easily lead us to view sinners with distaste while being intrigued by sin. But Jesus LOVES sinners and HATES sin. How did He maintain this seemingly impossible balance of reaching out to sinners while despising sin? I do not know, but I am filled with awe that He did for you and for me! May we go and go likewise!