Recently I saw the rerun of A Few Good Men on television. There is, which I consider, an iconic line from
Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson) under cross examination in a trial by
Lieutenant Lionel Kaffee (Tom Cruise): "You can't handle the
truth!" The phrase jared me both at the time I heard it and even resonates as I write this. In
John's gospel, Jesus taught that we would know the truth and the truth would
set us free. However, herein lies the challenge: Truth can set me
free, but I don’t always handle the truth!
What does that mean? I heard a preacher say many years ago that God cleanses sin, not excuses. Yet as I study my fleshly and spiritual conditions, I find that excuses are sometimes my specialty. When I am caught in some wrong doing, when I am exposed in a hypocrisy, when facts speak for themselves, I often find elaborate (and contrived) rationalizations or denials: "Bill, you don't understand..." "It is more complicated..." "I didn’t see it coming..." Or, as I find in the first book of the Bible, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree."
Over the years, I have read a number of books on the Nazi period and those who seemed unable to come to terms with the evil to which they contributed. I have recently been reading a book by Jean Francois Revel exposing the intricate webs of truth avoidance by the French Socialists and Communists in regards to the evils by and under existing communism. Men and women of eminent credentials, from significant educational institutions, employ the most mind-bendingly silly arguments to justify evils committed under their preferred system, whilst simultaneously demonizing those of their clearly defined enemies. Further, I don't need to look to foreign countries or history for examples; the Wall Street shenanigans and the on-going denials are evidence that this is a human issue, and not a political, racial, historical, or geographical one.
I don’t relish contemplating or ruminating such things, but it is real: this self-justifying mechanism, this denial system, this hidden factor that makes me quick to judge others for infractions against me or my view of morality, but which equally quickly grants allowances, justifications, rationale for my own failings, errors, or wrong doings.
When Jesus said that I would know the truth, part of this truth is that I would know myself. That is, who and what I am, that something is indeed wrong, that something is wrong with me! I need help, I need healing, I need something to intervene in my life to address the broken aspects. Sin is the biblical condition named to define this issue. The Greek word often used is hamartia, which means to miss the mark, as when an arrow misses the target. Something in space and time has happened that has disrupted and disordered reality. At seventy, I think I see the truth more often and even at some higher level; I want the truth more than ever, but have to admit I indeed cannot always handle it—at least, not without grace.
On the contrary, Jesus knew what is in me! He came as God's means of renewal and redemption. He came as light, and he came as the door to another kingdom where light, life, and hearts are exposed. As the door, a way is opened to new life, and Jesus beckons, "Come unto me, Bill." So, where will I really be today; going through the door at the breakfast hole, my shop, visiting a client or the doctor’s office, Home Depot, hugging on my grandchildren, brushing my teeth, cuddling with Bettyann, or making excuses, justifying behavior, rationalizing attitudes, or seeking grace to be different?
Father, I do know from experience that You love me as I am, but love me too much to leave me as I am. By Your grace I can handle truth and with my active, intentional attitude give the truth root in order that I might be completely set free.
What does that mean? I heard a preacher say many years ago that God cleanses sin, not excuses. Yet as I study my fleshly and spiritual conditions, I find that excuses are sometimes my specialty. When I am caught in some wrong doing, when I am exposed in a hypocrisy, when facts speak for themselves, I often find elaborate (and contrived) rationalizations or denials: "Bill, you don't understand..." "It is more complicated..." "I didn’t see it coming..." Or, as I find in the first book of the Bible, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree."
Over the years, I have read a number of books on the Nazi period and those who seemed unable to come to terms with the evil to which they contributed. I have recently been reading a book by Jean Francois Revel exposing the intricate webs of truth avoidance by the French Socialists and Communists in regards to the evils by and under existing communism. Men and women of eminent credentials, from significant educational institutions, employ the most mind-bendingly silly arguments to justify evils committed under their preferred system, whilst simultaneously demonizing those of their clearly defined enemies. Further, I don't need to look to foreign countries or history for examples; the Wall Street shenanigans and the on-going denials are evidence that this is a human issue, and not a political, racial, historical, or geographical one.
I don’t relish contemplating or ruminating such things, but it is real: this self-justifying mechanism, this denial system, this hidden factor that makes me quick to judge others for infractions against me or my view of morality, but which equally quickly grants allowances, justifications, rationale for my own failings, errors, or wrong doings.
When Jesus said that I would know the truth, part of this truth is that I would know myself. That is, who and what I am, that something is indeed wrong, that something is wrong with me! I need help, I need healing, I need something to intervene in my life to address the broken aspects. Sin is the biblical condition named to define this issue. The Greek word often used is hamartia, which means to miss the mark, as when an arrow misses the target. Something in space and time has happened that has disrupted and disordered reality. At seventy, I think I see the truth more often and even at some higher level; I want the truth more than ever, but have to admit I indeed cannot always handle it—at least, not without grace.
On the contrary, Jesus knew what is in me! He came as God's means of renewal and redemption. He came as light, and he came as the door to another kingdom where light, life, and hearts are exposed. As the door, a way is opened to new life, and Jesus beckons, "Come unto me, Bill." So, where will I really be today; going through the door at the breakfast hole, my shop, visiting a client or the doctor’s office, Home Depot, hugging on my grandchildren, brushing my teeth, cuddling with Bettyann, or making excuses, justifying behavior, rationalizing attitudes, or seeking grace to be different?
Father, I do know from experience that You love me as I am, but love me too much to leave me as I am. By Your grace I can handle truth and with my active, intentional attitude give the truth root in order that I might be completely set free.
1 comment:
only by Grace my friend! Love you always!
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