Luke 18.13

Men do all they can to divorce themselves from their own sinfulness. Some do like the Pharisee in the story referenced above and define sin by mere actions. Having defined sin by certain actions, they avoid those actions and thus divorce themselves from their sin. Seeing sin as a matter of what a man does, they seek a salvation that is a matter of what a man does. To them, sin is a “practical” matter, that is, a matter of what a man practices; therefore, to them, salvation is also a practical matter.

In reaction to such a weak view of what sin is, some take a more theological approach to it and speak of sin in terms of original sin in both its imputed and imparted aspects. They declare that the sin of Adam is imputed to us so that we are held responsible for the rebellion that took place in Eden. They also hold that because of that rebellion, Adam passed on to his posterity a nature bent to sin. Their theology is accurate, yet some have no further knowledge of their sin than a theological understanding of the origin and nature of it. Thus they divorce themselves from any real responsibility for their sin: it is only a matter of the rules of the game. Since their sin is, to them, a matter of theology, so is their salvation. Since their condemnation came to them by a theological construct, they believe that their salvation comes to them by the construction of a proper theology of salvation. The remedy for a proper theology of sin is a proper theology of salvation. A theological savior is sufficient for theological sinners.

But I see this tax collector near the temple. I hear no recitation of evils done, no theological definitions of who and what he was. I see no evidence that he considers the deeds of others: He does not look back to Adam to find the source of his sin nor look around at others to note that he does not compare favorably with them. He does not feel that he is a sinner because he is not as good as yonder praying Pharisee. He simply knows that he is a sinner in need of mercy, and thus he calls on God for it. Only two sights occupy his heart’s vision: he sees himself as the worthless wretch that he is and he sees with his heart the mercy seat upon which the blood of the sacrifice was poured in behalf of sinners. He does not care for theological definitions of sin nor would he be satisfied with a theology of salvation. To him, sin is a very personal thing, and thus the only remedy for it is a personal interest in the blood poured out on the mercy seat. Real sinners need a real Savior. And thank God, there is one: Jesus Christ.