Moralism. Something I've been learning about in class, and from observing around me. People tend to make all these positive statements about themselves as if to prove to themselves that they are a good person and okay. "I've got this," "I am confident." I would ask them, "Are you really? How is the power of your self helping you?"
No, I'm not just a cynic - but the reality is, the world and people that God created have become corrupted because of sin, and we can't do good on our own. Jesus says this, and I don't think enough Christians really take this seriously. John 15:4-5 says
"Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."Because of our sin, we can do nothing on our own. But through the power of the Spirit, we can do whatever is in God's will. Our problem however is that we think we can do so many things. After a bad test, we say, well, I can study harder next time. I can do better. But according to Jesus in this passage we can't. When we try to do things in our own will, we don't get very far.
"The Christian life is what you do when you finally realize you can do nothing." - Dallas Willard
And don't get me wrong, I find myself trying to do things on my own power just about every day. I spent the greater part of my job last summer thinking I was a superhero out to save souls. But God kept reminding me that it was his hand working in those youth to change their life, not me. It is so easy, we want all the glory, but it is God's alone. That is the purpose of John the Baptist's ministry - to point other to the come one, Christ, who would redeem the people of their sin.
Paul warns us of this, and also encourages us through it. Check out Romans, especially chapter 8. He begins by saying "there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We are not condemned for our sin and times we messed up, but "For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do" (v3). So God knows that our flesh is weak, so that's why he died on the cross, so we can live a life of the Spirit, abiding in the vine.
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace... Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom. 8:4-8)But the good news is that we are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit, and believers have the Spirit living in them. So we can do good, but not by the power of our own self, the flesh. And through the Spirit we are sons of God, and the Spirit bears witness to that.
Jesus did not die on the cross for us to do righteous and good works. Jesus died on the cross to redeem our sinful nature so that we can learn to love him. If you are a Christian and struggle by your conscious telling you to do good works, let that go. Instead, seek Christ, live by his Spirit, and these things will be the byproduct.
Next time you find yourself entangled in sin, do not let guilt and shame get the best of you - rather seek Christ and find love in your sin, for it is sin that turns God's children back to himself. I dare say, don't shy away from sin, if you're only going to let it set a moralist pattern. Instead, find grace despite and within your sin.
This is why many people fear ritualistic acts in the church - because it becomes a cycle of doing an act instead of loving the God the act was created for. Ritualism can creep into any areas of our life if we let it. Ask the Spirit to be a part of your everyday life. Spend time in centering prayer focusing on him and opening yourself to him and see how your life will be transformed. I think this is what Paul is getting at in Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Let the spirit transform and renew your heart.
So how do you know if you are a moralist? First, their conscience acts as a moral tutor with the response "I'll do better." They use truth that leads to conviction, which leads to shame (something is wrong with me), which then leads to guilt (as fear). This then leads to the neurotic self talk and feelings of moral failure where people use obedience as an antidote to shame, guilt, and moral failure.
However, a healthy conscience is a tutor to Christ. They take the truth which leads to pangs in conscience and feelings of guilt, shame, and moral failure, but instead use healthy self talk to lead them to Christ and confession. Healthy self talk looks like this: "I don't want in my own power to keep the will of God to deal with shame and guilt. I cannot do it in my own power." From here, this person decides they don't want to hide or cover their sin, but confess it and open their arms to forgiveness and freedom.
The bottom line from this is that obedience (moralism) is not the answer to guilt and shame which we all feel from sin.
My dear brothers and sisters, take this to heart and open your spirit to the Holy Spirit's work in your life. Drink from the living water and run into the embrace of your Savior, for nothing is greater.
I hope this all makes sense and was not condemning in any manner. I aim to write as God has been teaching me. Believe me, if I knew how to not be a moralist, I wouldn't write this. And I would love more discussion on this, whether here or in person. I don't have all the answers. God bless!
Great thanks to Dr. Phillip Bustrum from Cornerstone University, Dr. John Coe from Biola Universtiy, Dallas Willard
