Yes, during his presidency there was stagflation in the world economy, a big energy crisis, the Iran hostage crisis, etc etc....but there was also the creation of the Departments of Education and Energy, SALT negotiations, Panama Canal restorations, Camp David Accords, etc etc. No man is perfect, and often circumstances dictate a lot in our lives. His character remains untouched with his work with the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, the church, and more. I really respect the man and happily admit that he's been my role model among living and well-known people for the past few years. It's also very cool that he's a former Naval Officer and farmer (both of which are traditions I hold dear to my heart).
One of his devotionals in "Through the Year with Jimmy Carter":
May 1, 2005
A Simple Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all. Galatians 1:6-7
Suppose you were a brilliant philosopher in days gone by who wanted to create a believable religion. You wanted something that would be pure, honest, just, and fair, and would exemplify the finest aspects of human existence. It would be so perfect that no one in later days would question it. What would you put in this new religion?
As you sat down to write an outline, imagine that you knew all about ancient religions and theology and about what makes for good relationships between human beings. I'm guessing you would define a perfect religious person as one who believed in peace and justice and the alleviation of suffering, particularly for the poor; the one who believed in telling the truth; a humble person; a servant to others; generous; forgiving those who hurt him; compassionate and self-sacrificing. And then you might say that people had to be that sort of person to enjoy a positive relationship with God.
What a wonderful religion you would have created! it would have been inspirational, positive, challenging. It would have inspired people to lead a better life. Does that sound like the Christian gospel?
Absolutely not.
Throughout his writings, Paul made sure we understood that this is not the gospel. There is no relationship between doing good works and gaining salvation. Our salvation comes from the grace of God, freely, because the Lord loves us. In fact, trying to be better than others does not inspire humility in us, but the opposite: pride, self-satisfaction, a smug sense of superiority, and a wholly egocentric life. It also makes us feel self-reliant, able to live without God. And yet the temptation always exists to make "trying to be good" our religion.
Stated simply, the gospel message is, "We are saved by the grace of God through out faith in Jesus Christ." What we have to contribute is faith, or trust. Our good works should come as an indication of our gratitude and a desire to emulate the perfect life of our Savior.
O God, thank you for reminding me that I can never earn your favor or work for my salvation. Teach me to lean into you for life and godliness and to depend on the power of your Spirit to help me grow in the faith so that I might truly be a compassionate, patient, kind, gentle, loving person. May others see Jesus in me as I walk with him. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment