Two of my favorite preachers--Paul Zahl and Tullian Tchividjian--are criticized from both sides of the aisle. Some criticize them for focusing too much on the gracious nature of God. Others criticize them for focusing too much on the sinful nature of man. Some critics say: "God isn't all grace. If we don't live in a pious/correct fashion, God will be punish us or, at a minimum, be disappointed in us. We will lose His favor." (Just think about all of the people who want America to turn from its sins so that we can receive God's blessing.) Other critics say: "Man isn't totally depraved. Once we are saved by trusting in Christ, we are a new being." The fact that they are criticized by both sides of the aisle--by the so-called conservative arm of the church and by the so-called liberal wing of the church--means that they are on to something. This something is the Gospel.
From Genesis onward, the picture revealed in the Scripture is that of sinful man. Adam and Eve (whether literal or emblematic) couldn't keep even one law. They weren't asked to keep ten laws. (Moses) They weren't told that they had committed murder when they thought ill of their brother. (Jesus) They were asked to keep only one law. The fact that mankind is pictured from Day One as being incapable of keeping even one law is entirely consistent with Jesus' proclamation that we are too be perfect--the standard (apart from faith in God) is perfection. So, even after one believes in Christ (and we become a new being in terms of being better able to love others), one remains a sinner. One is totally depraved in the sense that every area of our lives is sinful. Are we as bad as we could be? Thankfully no. But we do remain sinful until we die. Just think about all of the times that you have screwed up in parenting or in trying to love your parents or siblings. If this doesn't reveal your sinful nature, then you're lying to yourself.
Thankfully, we aren't called to get it right the next time. How many resolutions have you made that you won't screw it up when given another chance? How many times have you failed in this regard? When you fail, you don't incur God's ire, wrath, or even displeasure. God isn't looking down upon you and frowning. Because when God looks down upon you, He doesn't see you and your sin. He sees His Son living in you. His disposition towards us is that of a gracious father. How do we know this? Just follow the trail of sinners in the Bible, and God's gracious treatment of them.
Abraham (tried to give his wife to Pharoah for sex to save his own life). Yet God promised that he would make Abraham the father of many nations.
Isaac (committed the same sin as his father). Yet God gave Isaac two sons--one of whom would be the father of Israel).
Jacob ("the trickster"--cheated his brother out of his birthright--fled his family to live with pagans--married a pagan). Yet God blessed Him with twelve children, and God graciously renamed him Israel.
Joseph (a huge braggart--to the extent that his brothers wanted to kill him). He was used by God to save the Egyptian people and his own family, and thereby created the nation of Israel.
Judah (denied his daughter-in-law the marriage with his third son, and then impregnated her himself). He was blessed by Israel on his death bed. From the tribe of Judah came David and Jesus.
Moses (murderer) Led the Jews out of Israel to form a nation that was to proclaim YHWH to all nations.
David (murder and adulterer) The greatest king of Israel--a "man after God's own heart."
The list goes on and on, but you get the idea. "You can't do anything wrong."--Love God.
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