Christianity is not about good people getting better. It is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that Christianity offers hope and redemption to those who struggle with their flaws rather than just improving the already 'good' individuals.
This quote by Tullian Tchividjian highlights a fundamental aspect of Christianity: it is not merely a moral improvement system for already decent people but rather a source of hope and guidance for those who acknowledge their shortcomings. It suggests that Christianity provides comfort and acceptance to individuals who fail to meet moral standards, acknowledging that everyone struggles and needs grace.
In practice
During a church sermon discussing grace and forgiveness.
Christianity is not about good people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. The heart of the Christian faith is Good News, not good advice, good technique, or good behavior. Too many people have walked away from the church, not because theyβre walking away from Jesus, but because the church has walked away from Jesus.
Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable.
Grief, of course, is not something that operates according to a specific time frame, and it seems cold to suggest otherwise. Yet when we do not grasp that God is present in pain, we eventually insist on victory or, worse, blame the sufferer for not "getting over it" fast enough. This is more than a failure to extend compassion; it's an exercise in cruelty.
Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.
The universe is an infinite opportunity creation machine. In every instant, the possibility of greater possibility is programmed into the nature of things. Love creates the conduit through which new possibility enters our experience, and lovelessness keeps it at bay.
An effective proclamation of the Gospel in contemporary Western society will need to confront directly the widespread spirit of agnosticism and relativism which has cast doubt on reason's ability to know the truth, which alone satisfies the human heart's restless quest for meaning.
Odors have an altogether peculiar force, in affecting us through association; a force differing essentially from that of objects addressing the touch, the taste, the sight or the hearing.
Jesus was loyal to his apostles, with full knowledge of their cowardice. He was loyal to the poor, accepting the criticism of the Pharisees, so the destitute would never feel deserted. He was loyal to his father, accomplishing his will even unto death.
Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.
The Bible is not interested in arguing, because if you state a thesis of belief you have already stated it's opposite; if you say, I believe in God, you have already suggested the possibility of not believing in him. [p.250]
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