"There is nothing so dangerous or necessary in the world as singing Isaac Watts’ coarse and abhorrent words would (Christ) devote his sacred head for such a worm as I?" - Cassy Hobbs
"The important thing about the way John’s life witnessed the truth of the Gospel, however, is not in his strange ascetic practices but in his message of repentance. John called the people of Israel to repent. His preaching drew large crowds. And John’s message received special attention from certain religious leaders who might have found what he had to say akin to their own. These were those religious folk who taught that God was a harsh judge, that human beings should be treated with contempt, and that life should be lived out in obedience to a strict list of rules and regulations.
But John saw through the teachings of these religious leaders. He knew that they had not come to repent or to call others into repentance. Repentance means that God’s grace is at work, bringing about transformation, restoring lives so they can shine in their created beauty. And John knew these religious leaders were not preaching transformation. They were preaching judgment. They were not about restoration. They were about control. Their agenda was to make others believe they were worthless so that they could continue to justify their authority. They did not want people to turn to God. They wanted to be gods.
We might say these religious leaders represented a form of religious life that can be characterized as worm theology. That is, because humans are sinful creatures, the faithful life is a life of guilt and sorrow. This kind of belief teaches that humans are cursed, and there is nothing good about them." - Michael Anthony Howard (emphasis mine).
Paul had a "can do" attitude but it was "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST" attitude.
However, Paul using the present tense considered himself "the cheif of sinners" and "the least" of all the apostles.
Apart from the empowering of the Holy Spirit his attitude toward self was "oh wretch man that I am" again present tense.
In keeping with this self-conception, Jesus told disciples that "without me ye can do nothing."
The proper self-perspective seems to fit within the following guidelines:
1. Every potential ability or gift comes from God - 1 Cor. 4:7 - therefore all credit should be given to God.
2. Such potential abilities and gifts must be exercised and as you exercise such you develop experience that promotes a God centered confidence.
3. You should not think above the "measure" of grace consisting of potential abilities, gifts and experience gained through the exercise of such - Rom. 12:3,5
4. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you to perform within the guidelines of His will.
5. Any view of self outside of these guidelines is a self that is inherently evil - Rom. 7:18.
Therefore, in regard to "self" apart from the grace of God, the analogy of a "worm" is most fitting.
"The important thing about the way John’s life witnessed the truth of the Gospel, however, is not in his strange ascetic practices but in his message of repentance. John called the people of Israel to repent. His preaching drew large crowds. And John’s message received special attention from certain religious leaders who might have found what he had to say akin to their own. These were those religious folk who taught that God was a harsh judge, that human beings should be treated with contempt, and that life should be lived out in obedience to a strict list of rules and regulations.
But John saw through the teachings of these religious leaders. He knew that they had not come to repent or to call others into repentance. Repentance means that God’s grace is at work, bringing about transformation, restoring lives so they can shine in their created beauty. And John knew these religious leaders were not preaching transformation. They were preaching judgment. They were not about restoration. They were about control. Their agenda was to make others believe they were worthless so that they could continue to justify their authority. They did not want people to turn to God. They wanted to be gods.
We might say these religious leaders represented a form of religious life that can be characterized as worm theology. That is, because humans are sinful creatures, the faithful life is a life of guilt and sorrow. This kind of belief teaches that humans are cursed, and there is nothing good about them." - Michael Anthony Howard (emphasis mine).
Paul had a "can do" attitude but it was "I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST" attitude.
However, Paul using the present tense considered himself "the cheif of sinners" and "the least" of all the apostles.
Apart from the empowering of the Holy Spirit his attitude toward self was "oh wretch man that I am" again present tense.
In keeping with this self-conception, Jesus told disciples that "without me ye can do nothing."
The proper self-perspective seems to fit within the following guidelines:
1. Every potential ability or gift comes from God - 1 Cor. 4:7 - therefore all credit should be given to God.
2. Such potential abilities and gifts must be exercised and as you exercise such you develop experience that promotes a God centered confidence.
3. You should not think above the "measure" of grace consisting of potential abilities, gifts and experience gained through the exercise of such - Rom. 12:3,5
4. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you to perform within the guidelines of His will.
5. Any view of self outside of these guidelines is a self that is inherently evil - Rom. 7:18.
Therefore, in regard to "self" apart from the grace of God, the analogy of a "worm" is most fitting.
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