deepundergroundpoetry.com

The Paradox of Absolute Values

For those who hold a view
that absolute values are the standard
by which we should live
and then say about their own behaviors
that no one is perfect
and they are doing the best they can
and that when they know
and understand better they will do better
and so they are no better behaved
when compared to a relative value system,
then I tell them that they are relative
in their application
of their absolute standards.
--------------------------------------------------------
If they want to be absolute,
they need to publicly confess their sins
and then they will have
at least been absolutely honest.
--------------------------------------------------------
After all, if we are going to die
eternal damnation
without their modeling perfect behavior,
any shame would be worth it
if they brought even
one sinner to repent
with their act of honesty, right?
--------------------------------------------------------
If their modeling the perfection
of behavior is not their goal,
then why do they judge
the behaviors of others?
--------------------------------------------------------
On the other side,
if we make the claim
that only God travels in absolutes,
and that Christ has perfected us all
by his redeeming us,
then no one is more or less perfect
and all are living in an absolute state of spiritual perfection
regardless of his or her individual behaviors,
and, since no one can judge the relative honor or righteousness
of another, we can now accept each other
as perfect in the eyes of God;
we are perfected under an Absolute,
and no relative behavior will mean anything at all
since sin has been abolished
because we are no longer to live under the Law.
--------------------------------------------------------
What claims an absolute value behaves relatively,
and what claims a relative value of equality
lives absolutely under unconditional grace.
--------------------------------------------------------
If you live "absolutely," then you have a chance
to become more honest by coming clean
about what relative sins you commit,
especially knowing your sins are not that bad.
--------------------------------------------------------
If you live relatively, you need make no
changes at all since you are absolutely redeemed.
--------------------------------------------------------
When I say this, people ask me
if they can murder someone and it is okay;  
I find that interesting.  
--------------------------------------------------------
With absolute forgiveness in front of them,
the very first thing they want to do is to kill someone,
and yet by their own value system
they just did, because to think it is to have done it.  
--------------------------------------------------------
They just wanted to know if they can get away with it;
they had murder in their hearts the whole time.
--------------------------------------------------------
Yes, you can.  Is that what you wanted to do?  
You have complete freedom
and the first thing you can think of is murder?  
You really do need absolute grace in your relative life!
--------------------------------------------------------

runningturtle87
Written by runningturtle87
Published
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