Joshua June 26th, 2007

Steve, its creepy but every week you are speaking directly to me. I am feeling so depressed today because I have tried to be perfect and well but I'm stuck in this cycle of addiction that leaves me more flawed and more sick each time. I am starting a 12 step group this week to address this issue and you'd think taking that step towards sobriety would renew faith in myself but in mind going to this group is like admitting defeat (it is though really because the first step is admitting you are powerless) and that just depresses me even more. The only thing that keeps me from snapping is the grace your talking about here and the knowledge that no matter how many times i find myself face down in the muck and mire Jesus never rolls his eyes at me or says, "damnit Josh. Again?". Sharon said the other day that no matter how hurt or lost she feels she clings to Jesus and I feel that way as well. Its just nice to learn that He is clinging back.

Jake June 29th, 2007

Steve has said a couple of times that those who are trying to be perfect can take comfort in the fact that this attempt is proof that they are saved. Is this always true? Couldn't it be that they are just trying to impress those around them? Couldn't it be that they do not believe in God's grace at all and are trying to earn their way into a better eternal situation when they die? Couldn't it be that they believe it is better, as a practical matter, to be good and love others to avoid the negative consequences / broken relationships?

Erik June 29th, 2007

I bet Steve would say that his comments are more accurately addressed to people that ask something like, "I really want to please God and be His, how can I be sure I'm a Christian?"

It's this "fretting" over their perfection/acceptability that seems to indicate to Steve that they are alive spiritually. I'm sure there are plenty of perfectionists that don't give a crap if God notices.

But I could be wrong.