Thursday, July 15, 2010

on acquired passivity

Grace originates in an act of God that is absolutely without precedent, the generous, sacrificial self-giving of Jesus that makes it possible for us to participate in resurrection maturity. It is not what we do; it is what we participate in. But we cannot participate apart from a willed passivity, entering into and giving ourselves up to what is previous to us, the presence and action of God in Christ that is other than us. Such passivity does not come easy to us. It must be acquired.

Eugene H. Peterson, Practise Resurrection, p.95

1 comment:

The Masked Badger said...

Which makes me think of Ps.51L17 - mostly because I was preparing on it this morning. The crushing leaves no hope in any 'sacrifice' we can perform; only an acceptance of helplessness.