A Thought on Theology

I have no idea how to spell it but I've been thinking about that piece of Lutheran theology we call simul ustes epicater or perhaps more familiar, "Simultaneous saint and sinner." It's a beautiful piece that helps us view people both as amazing creations of God and totally f#@*ed up. We realize that at the same time we find ourselves in desperate need of God's saving grace and being created anew. It's all jumbled up all at the same time. It's pretty cool.

Yet here's the thing. It seems to me that all too often we dwell on the sinner, especially when it comes to ourselves. I know I far more often see the saint in others, but not in me. That sort of thing can get you in trouble as you begin seeing others as better than yourself. It's unfortunate because those other saints we see are also sinners ("For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"). Meanwhile I also need to remember that I am "saved by grace through faith." So we really all are on equal ground. ALL of us...now if we can just learn to see that.