I gave up masturbation ...
Submitted by Ray on May 07 1999 at 06:37:14
In reply to Change and Jesus Submitted by Ben on May 06 1999 at 20:21:43
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from September 1968 to February 1969. And then decided it wasn't worth it! Ben, The particular struggle you are having now stems from what I see as one of the shortcomings of current (and past) Christian teachings, particularly about human nature and sin. But there are other strains and threads to Christianity that IMHO are best applied to your situation. All that emphasis on sinners and sin overlooks the most important part of religion! My background is Lutheran. And there are some insights to your situation from Martin Luther's struggles as a priest in the Roman Catholic church about 500 years ago (which eventually lead to a break with the church in Rome). His struggle, as I remember it, began with a sense of himself as a sinner, which no amount of pennance could remove. One point of his teachings is that the benefits of participating in the sacraments (the means of grace - baptism and communion) are life, health and salvation. For example, from the Small Catechism which Martin Luther wrote for parents to use in their homes to help children understand their faith: VI. The Sacrament of the Altar: - What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? - Answer: We are told in the words "for you" and "for the forgiveness of sins." By these words the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us in the sacrament, for where there is forgiveness of sins, there are also life and salvation. A benefit of being Christian and participating in a Christian community should be "life"! That Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly and Jesus as way, truth, and life are particular themes of the Gospel of John: in him was life, and the life was the light of all people John 1:4 NRSV [Jesus speaking] "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." John 5:39f NRSV [Jesus speaking, again] "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they [the sheep] may have life, and have it abundantly." I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10f NRSV Jesus said to him [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NRSV About four years ago, I wrote (and may have posted to CBF before): The cross of Christ as submission, obedience, sacrifice, servanthood, humility is for dominant, disobedient, greedy. lords & masters, proud For the marginalized, down on themselves BLers, Christ is life, health and salvation! Another point from Martin Luther is that we are simil justus et peccator, at the same time justified (or righteous) and separated from God - simultaneously saint and sinner! The Christian Church is quick to point out the "sinner" part of human nature, but seems to have forgotten sainthood of all believers. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3 NRSV That saint/sinner mix is part of human nature, and neither part should overshadow the other. The important part of that Romans passage for consideration here, I think, is "use sober judgment." And a balance to "not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to think" is don't think of yourself more lowly than you ought to think! Ben, I think you were using sober judgment on the masturbation issue before you became down on yourself! IMHO, to come to Jesus doesn't mean giving up masturbation. Ray |