Eaten Up With Sorriness
"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." - 1 Timothy 6:11-12
There was a time in Southern culture where you could describe someone as "sorry," and people would know what you meant. They knew you were talking about somebody who was an irresponsible, lazy, no-account, cattin'-around, lyin', cheatin', sorry so-and-so.
We now live in a culture where sorriness is actually glorified. Jerry Springer has popularized it. He's showcased a bunch of shameless folks who verbally vomit up all their junk in front of several million viewers. His shows and dozens of copycats have led the way in glorifying examples of sorriness. So we sit there and glory in it as we let it flow all over us. Maybe it's because watching them makes us feel we are superior.
But there is another way. Jesus Christ came to save us from our sorriness. When we accept His salvation and begin to follow Him, He gives us a desire to take on His spirit and character. He empowers us to reflect Him more than our natural-born sorriness. Why don't you look to Him in faith? You won't be sorry.
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7 Comments
I never thought about watching them as making us feel superior but that is an excellent point. I don't watch the shows but you can't help but see snippets on commercials, etc. and I always say to myself, "how can people be like that" ! But, I have to remember that these are people that do not have the Lord and they are not supposed to act like those who do. More and more of a reason to be a light on the hill. Thank you RFTH for the reminder. - JM
The most popular song ever written, if you measure by the number of different artists who recorded it, is Amazing Grace. Four thousand different recordings and rising every day. It's not even close. Why is this. One reason, I think, is the that it calls all who are saved "wretched". Paul says in Romans 3 that none are righteous. It took me a long time to see myself as the sinner that I am and, that like Paul, I go right on doing the things I don't want, while not doing the things I know I should. If I didn't believe that Jesus is who he says he is, and that he will do what he said he will do for those who are covered by the blood of his sinless grace, then I would truly dispair. There are many around us who glory in their wickness. We can only pray that they will have a Damascus Road experience. Thanks be to God that I have been so blessed. Beleive me, no one was less deserving than me. No one is beyond God's Grace. - G man
We are all "Sinners", the only difference is some are saved by grace. The people who go on these T.V. shows are either very proud of the lives they live or they are paid to act like complete degenerates. I have known some people who actually lived this way but when they come to know the Lord they quit acting this way and became productive Christians. Some have even gone back to the ones they used to run with and have introduced them to the Lord. This is what Discipling is all about. I once was even more sorry than I now am but I thank God he came into my life. I am still a sinner but now I am saved by his grace. God bless all and have a good day. - Jerry
The only part of me that is not sorry and wretched is the Jesus part. I am so thankful that God chose to reveal Himself to me and I chose to accept Jesus and let Him live in me. Now if I could just get out of the way and let Jesus live to His fullness in me. Day by day I pray there is more Him and less me. It is a process and it is amazing to see what God can do for those who are willing. He is not finished with me yet. - Janice
Jerry, I always enjoy reading your comments but on today's comment, I am going to have to bring up the fact that I don't think these people are "proud" at all. I think they are also ashamed of how they act deep down inside. I have discovered in life that there are people that are deviants but want to somehow convert others to think like they do rather than follwoing the norm. So that it actually rationalizes the deviancy and in turn, makes them feel not as twisted. Always be a simple person and find the power to do what you know is right rather than wasting time justifying the wrong. That's easier to do when you follow in the path of Jesus Christ. - Matthew
Jerry and Matthew, I have only seen those type TV shows when I would be waiting in an auto repair shop, etc., and that was what the TV was tuned to. From what little I have seen I felt like the program was a madhouse. I would imagine that people appear on such shows for as many reasons as there are people. Some probably want to flaunt their sinful lifesyles, some want some money, some think the extreme measure may bring reconciliation and some just like the attention, etc. So I think you are both right in some cases. I just know it hurt my ears when I had to listen to that and it definitely is a contrast to the orderly life that comes from following God's way. - Janice
Maybe I didn't word my comment right but I do not watch these shows, I have seen parts of them when I was at a fast food place or somewhere like that, but the ones that I did see part of the show acted like they were either rehearsed or was just plain pitiful. I do know a person who traveled all the way to where one of these shows was, to find out if he was the father of his girlfriend's baby only to find out he wasn't but then he was introduced to another guy who was having a relationship with the girl. A fight broke out and it almost wasn't broke up. I know this boy and he is not a fighter, this is the reason I said some are rehearsed. I also don't watch the Simpsons. or anyother of the adult themed cartoons. Show's like these will cloud your minds with things that you don't need to have. Read Gods word and you will be blessed with what we need. I'm sorry for the confusion. - Jerry