Superficial grace is not sufficient to cover my sin, or your’s. Because our sin goes too deep. I’ve seen enough of the churchianity that gives grace without much truth and light accountability; just enough to keep up appearances. Isn‘t it an act of grace to call someone to repentance? Love will press in to difficult situations, even and especially when it’s not wanted. Many want to jump over the difficult work of accountability and fundamental change.
It seems there is a problem in the church generally that makes humility so rare and coverup so common. We are eager to relate to a cross of polished metal or varnished wood. What’s really needed is to embrace Catholicism’s emblematic symbolism of a naked, bloody, disgraced body on display, that says this way to redemption. Humility is integral to the gospel and salvation. We need to crucify the flesh. Publicly! Why? Cause that’s the only way to get rid of secrets and darkness. Why are there so many hiding places in the church? The bad smell in the church will not go away till we clean out the closets.
Oh, but doesn’t love cover a multitude of sins? Absolutely! But the Biblical sequence is clear. “Confess your sins to one another that you may be healed.” Confession, (darkness brought to the light) forgiveness, (sin covered by the blood) repentance, (resolve to stay in the light.) The covering happens in public...at the cross! We can’t sneak up to the cross keeping our pride in tact and go away forgiven.
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
MATTHEW 7:22-23 NASB