Originally posted by wickwoman
Righteousness and forgiveness can only be found within one's self, not provided by an outside source.
I'll agree that the Christian ideas of forgiveness and righteousness
are skewed, but I won't go as far as you do.
The Psalmist asks God to convict her (him). The wimpy "out"
modern Christians take is a get out of jail free card. But that
doesn't take away the pain, the guilt, the sin.
Only by being tried and convicted can we see the error of
our ways, and only after accepting that trial and conviction,
can we find freedom. The Psalmist asks for God's conviction
to be upon himself (herself) because the Psalmist recognizes
how skewed our own perspectives can be. Only God can
judge justly, and for those interested in truth and justice
which transcends our own petty self defensive subjective
viewpoints and reactions,
seeking God's truth, even and especially if it means our
own conviction, is the only option for finding freedom.
Grace is not found in avoiding judgement, Grace is found
in the sentencing which occurs after the judgment.
The love of God
IS the righteous judgement of God.
djm