“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)
In a world increasingly swayed by appearances, where mirrors can distort and flatter, our perception of self as well as our sin requires a standard of measurement not found in any ordinary reflection. For example, when we look at our sins through Satan’s distorted lens, they can appear trivial, even almost dismissible. Yet when viewed through the pristine and faultless mirror of God’s law, their true gravity is exposed. And this divine perspective recognizes even the most subtle hatred to be as destructive as murder, and the faintest hint of lust as dangerous as adultery.
By truly grasping the significance of sin as seen through God’s eyes, we come to realize that our own sins participated in the agonizing suffering and sacrifice of Christ. Our own transgressions become the Judas that betrayed Him, the soldiers that abused Him, the nails that pierced Him, and the spear that tore open His side. This profound realization explains why Christ equated even the most concealed thoughts of animosity and desire with their outward, tangible evil counterpart.
We could even argue that a comprehensive understanding of our sinful nature is at the core of our spirituality, a linchpin in our relationship with God. The deeper we understand our sins, the more vital God’s grace becomes. This dynamic is evident in the lives of many biblical figures. Job’s repentance in dust and ashes (Job 42:6), Isaiah’s proclamation of being a man of unclean lips amid a people of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5), and Paul’s confession of his personal struggles with sin (Romans 7:14-25) all underscore the depths of their spirituality.
The rampant wickedness at work today can largely be attributed to a lack of spiritual insight. Sin indicates spiritual ignorance, and spiritual ignorance perpetuates sin. The Prophet Hosea lamented that swearing, lying, killing, and stealing abounded because there was no knowledge of God (Hosea 4:1-2). Christ echoed this same sentiment, attributing the deception of the Pharisees to their unfamiliarity with the scriptures and God’s power (Matthew 22:29).
Central to our faith is the knowledge that our salvation lies not in our deeds but in the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us. Our journey of grace and salvation is a balance between recognizing our true sinful nature and embracing Christ’s sacrificial love. As Richard Younge astutely writes, “The sole perfection of a Christian is the imputation of Christ’s righteousness; and the not-imputation of his own unrighteousness”.[1] This profound truth serves as the foundation upon which our faith stands firm, guiding us towards eternal life.
Contemplations:
- My Sinfulness. As I meditate on the depths of my sinfulness, I’m reminded of its pervasive nature. Even my unspoken thoughts, those hidden from the world, carry weight in the divine balance. Can I truly grasp the gravity of even my most subtle sins in the eyes of God?
- Some of those many biblical heroes that I admire, like Job and Isaiah, had moments of deep introspection where they acknowledged their sinfulness. Their closeness to God made them more aware of their sinfulness. Do I, in my spiritual walk, truly recognize my own failings, both seen and unseen?
- Ignorance seems to be the breeding ground for sin in our world today. With all the knowledge and information available to me, do I actively seek to deepen my understanding of God’s will and His ways? Or am I too, unknowingly, ensnared by the chains of spiritual blindness?
- Christ Died for Me. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross isn’t just a historical event; it’s a continuous testament to His love for me. He bore the full weight of my sins at Calvary. What is my daily response to such an exhibition of love? Is my life a reflection of gratitude for His unparalleled sacrifice?
A Prayer for Seeing Sin and Salvation in Christ’s Light
O Lord, most holy and righteous, You who dwell in unapproachable light, before whom the angels veil their faces, I bow before You in reverence and humility. Yours is the eternal standard of truth, and before Your throne all things are laid bare. You are the great Judge, whose law is perfect and whose commandments are pure, discerning even the hidden thoughts and intents of my heart. No sin is trivial in Your sight, no transgression escapes Your gaze, and no impurity can stand in Your presence. I praise You, Lord, that Your righteousness is without blemish, Your justice unyielding, and yet, in Christ, You have made a way for sinners to be reconciled to You.
Father, I confess my blindness to my own sin. My heart, so easily deceived, has often softened my own guilt and justified imy own waywardness. How often have I gazed into the world’s mirror rather than the mirror of Your law? How frequently have I compared myself to others rather than measuring myself against Your holiness? O Lord, forgive me for seeing sin lightly, for excusing what nailed my Savior to the cross, for dulling my conscience to the severity of what separates me from You. Have mercy on me, not according to my works, but according to the finished work of Christ who bore my punishment, who drank the cup of wrath that should have been mine, and who became my righteousness.
I thank You, Father God, for the wondrous grace that has turned my eyes from my own corruption to the imputed righteousness of Your Son. What love is this, that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me! That He who knew no sin became sin for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him! I thank You for the cross, where mercy and justice met, where my debt was paid, and where my salvation was secured. I thank You for Your Word, which does not flatter but instead reveals, which does not deceive but convicts, which does not leave me in despair but points me to the only Redeemer.
Lord, let my life be a testimony of gratitude. Let my actions be shaped by the deep knowledge of what You have done. Let me not live in ignorance, but with a heart instructed by Your truth, eager to know You more, to love You more, and to walk in holiness. When I am tempted to excuse my sin, remind me of the weight of Calvary. When I am tempted to despair over my failings, remind me of the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. Let my every breath be marked by repentance and my every step be directed by grace.
O God, cleanse my heart, sharpen my vision, and let me walk in the light as You are in the light. May my life be a reflection of the great ransom that was paid, a living sacrifice that proclaims the immeasurable worth of my Savior. And when my time on earth is done, may I stand before You clothed, not in my own righteousness, but in the spotless robe of Christ to the praise of Your glorious grace.
In the name of my Redeemer, my righteousness, and my King, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Further References for Mark 10:45:
Matthew 20:28; Isa. 53:10; Dan. 9:26; 1 Peter 1:19
[1] Richard Younge, A Short and Sure Way to Grace and Salvation, (London: Sold only by James Crump … and by Henry Cripps .., 1658), 13.
