News Letter February 2008
Dear Friends,
“Oh well, we’re only human!”
I expect we have all heard words like this many times – and we have probably used them ourselves all too often. The fact that we are “only human” is taken to explain, and even to justify all kinds of errors of judgement and lapses in behaviour. Few of us would argue with the assertion that human nature, for all its potential for good, is fundamentally flawed. Theologians call it the “fallenness” of humanity, but most of us just recognize it as the weaknesses we are share. But are we right to talk about being “only” human? In places, the Bible seems to agree that humans are weak, foolish, frail and all-too-fallible. We have within us an innate bias towards to selfishness and sin, which contrasts starkly with the perfection and holiness of God.
However, there are also places in which the Bible emphasises the glory of being human. Genesis 1 speaks of God creating man in his own image. Psalm 8 says that human beings were created to be just a little lower than God himself; and in Luke 12 v7, Jesus speaks so beautifully about the value God places on each one of us. In other words, for all our frailties, God does not regard us as “only human” – but as wonderfully human – lovingly fashioned by his hands, and infinitely important. Indeed, since God chose to send his only eternal Son to become human (God with us) – we probably should not be too dismissive of our own species. Yes, we have our faults, and we have a tendency to self-destruct – but we also have great worth in God’s eyes, and great potential to do what is right, and to reflect his beauty.
On Sunday Mornings, over the coming weeks, we are looking at the subject of “Grace”. It is so important that we grasp just how wonderful God’s grace is. As I said recently, many of us know that we are saved by grace – and yet we still continue to live as if we can only be saved by works. We need to live by grace, and to be shaken and stirred by the realization of how much God loves us. As time and other events allow, we shall explore what “amazing grace” really means.
On Sunday evenings, we shall be resuming our TIDE course on February 10th. This will not be on consecutive weeks, because of other things – but all being well, we should cover the final six sessions of the course by May. Please come and share with us as much as you can. I know that we cant all be at every service (after all, we are only human!) – but we will all benefit and grow by regular and committed attendance.
Finally, do make a point of coming to the Lent Studies, beginning at our Church on 12th February. We will be looking at “Coming to Faith”, and it should be an interesting series. See you there!
Best Wishes , Stephen
