The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland
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the world can "look unto Jesus" meaningfully. He<br />
can see his own cross looming up before him<br />
whereon self or "I" can be "crucified with Christ."<br />
Christ's identity with us (the objective gospel)<br />
becomes our identity with Him (the subjective<br />
gospel). <strong>The</strong> sinner can overcome because now he<br />
sees how Christ "overcame." And that, we insist, is<br />
not a ludicrous, contemptible "perfectionism," a<br />
strawman, as it is sometimes portrayed.<br />
(Incidentally, for Laodicea to "overcome even as<br />
[Christ] overcame" does not involve the eradication<br />
of the sinful nature, but overcoming within fallen,<br />
sinful nature).<br />
21. David says that he was "shapen in<br />
iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me"<br />
(Psalm 51:5, KJV). Was there anything in the<br />
words of Jesus that parallels this cry?<br />
If one understands that all human acts are<br />
inherently sinful apart from redemption, David is<br />
giving voice to the realization of the compulsion<br />
that self-seeking imposes on us all. <strong>The</strong> virgin<br />
Mary was a sinner, for she said "My spirit has<br />
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