Reality of Sin and the pursuit of God (Peterson)

The following quotes are from Eugene Peterson's 'The Jesus Way.' in a section on David's way - as his life demonstrates both a love for God and yet imperfection along the way of following Jesus. This section was refreshing. Though we are called to follow Jesus and live holy, we are not meant to expect perfectionism - in us or in others.

(Eugene Peterson, in The Jesus Way, reflecting on the prayers of David, Israel's most popular King)

The remedy for sin is not the extermination of sin, not the long training in not-sinning, not a rigorous program conditioning us in the Pavlovian revulsion to sin. The only effective remedy for sin is the forgiveness of sin-and only God can forgive sin. If we refuse to deal with God, we are left dealing with sin by means of punishment or moral education or concocting some strategy of denial. None seem to make much of a dent in the sin business. No. The way, the only way, is to get in on God's forgiveness. And that we do by confession. No excuses, no rationalization, no New Year's resolutions. only "I will confess..." (Psalm 32)

Confession is entrance into the vast world of forgiveness, encompassed with God's deliverance and steadfast love.

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There is no us and them in matters of sin. Which means, of course, that I cannot deal with sin by dealing exclusively with my inner life. Neither can I hope to deal with sin by converting or eliminating those who are against me.
So what is left? God is left. God is the one with whom we must deal.

God is the one in whom I must deal. My inside world is not, nor will it ever be, perfect. The outside world is not, nor will it ever be, perfect. In all matters of sin, my business, first and foremost, is God: "Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation." (Psalm 38:22)

...The way is pot-holed by sin and sinners. There are moments of isolation and disconnection from God and family, God and friends, God and community. And if Jesus was not insulated from feeling and dealing with the isolating and lonely effects of sin, we are well advised not to attempt to build or find a road more to our liking and convenience.

The sin does not disqualify us from being on the way; Sin does not expel us from our place on the way. We may be stuck, incapacitated, lost, depressed, angry, puzzled, confused, but we are still on the way: "If thou, O Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?" But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.: (Ps. 130:3-4).

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Naivete regarding sin is dangerous as we follow Jesus, but an obsession with sin is decidedly unhealthy. It is God's business to care of the sin; our business is with God as he does his work in and with us.