Nothing But The Blood

"For so many in our country -- the homeless and the fatherless, the addicted -- the need is great. Yet there's power, wonder-working power, in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people."

So spoke President George W. Bush in his 2003 State of the Union address. I was reminded of his speech this past week as I prepared for my sermon last night on the death of Jesus. In this line, President Bush borrows from a Christian hymn I grew up singing, titled "Power In The Blood". The chorus goes as follows:

"There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the precious blood of the lamb."

Powerful words for those of us who believe in them; and the "goodness and idealism and faith of the American people" acts as a poor replacement.

For those who are homeless, fatherless, and addicted, God offers hope; through Himself, through His Son, through His Spirit, and through His church. To offer up less than God as an answer for the world's ills isn't just tactless, it's irresponsible and hopeless.

This isn't meant to be a rant against the President or even against goodness, idealism, and faith. But the Christian story hinges on the truth that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sin. No one else can save us. No one else but Him.

Our attempts to rely on our own goodness continue to fall short, since only God is good. Our idealism is so often less than ideal and so easily turned into cynicism. Our faith might be something to boast about, if we didn't have so little.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."