Why Are People So Dumb Sometimes? PT. 1
I asked a cheeky question this Sunday, "Why are people so dumb sometimes?" I didn't realize the amount of responses I would get. It seems like many of us are struggling to see anything redeemable in people. We may have even started losing hope that things will ever get better:
It's election year. People are about to look at other people and declare, "You are the problem!" Politicians on both sides are about to prey on our fears, suggesting that we have many enemies threatening our well-being out there and that we must stop "them" from destroying everything for us. At a societal level, people will act in all kinds of ways that confuse or discourage us.
Family rifts cut to the core. And even our closest friends can reject or use us. The very ones we trusted most may have left scars that led our lives down unexpected or disheartening paths. At a relational level, people will act in all kinds of ways that hurt or disappoint us.
The sting of betrayal is universal, breeding a pervasive cynicism that taints our views on love and trust. We may even begin to internalize these messages and withdraw, convincing ourselves that perhaps we don't deserve connection after all. At a personal level, people will leave all kinds of scars or wounds that shape the way we view ourselves in the world.
It turns out people rarely act the way they should. Self-interest always seems to win out. The adage "you can't trust anyone these days" becomes our motto. Beneath all of this, I believe we have lost hope. And we have a real problem here too when it comes to church. The problem is that we learn to trust God again through the love of His people. As Pauline scholar Douglas Campbell notes, "We meet God through people like Him. It is almost as if God is hiding behind his people." But how can we trust God when we don't trust people? And [insert eye roll and maybe a groan or two here] why do people have to be such an important part of our knowing God? Admittedly, it's a real pickle. Or at least it is without the hope of resurrection.
We meet God through people like Him. It is almost as if God is hiding behind his people. But how can we trust God when we don't trust people? And why do people have to be such an important part of our knowing God? Admittedly, it's a real pickle.
To remain hopeful we must look to what resurrection is doing for humanity, to what it is doing in people. There is no other way. First, it is helpful to understand a little more about the "problem" all people face. Or should I say, the problem all people are held in bondage by. The problem is human nature is held captive by sin and death (Rom 8:10-11), two things resurrection reverses. This nature Paul identifies primarily as being "in conflict". He contrasts this with a new resurrection nature that people receive in Christ that is conversely characterized by peace (Rom 8:6; Phil 4:7). The conflict of human nature began when humanity rebelled against God in their self-interest. In the process, they lost their trust in God (Gen 3:8-10), and each other (Gen 3:11-12), and disrupted their connection with God's good creation (Gen 4:10). It takes only a few short chapters in Genesis before God Himself concedes that the human heart is primarily inclined towards violence and self-preservation over neighbor (Gen 6:5).
First, it is helpful to understand a little more about the "problem" all people face. Or should I say, the problem all people are held in bondage by. The problem is human nature is held captive by sin and death (Rom 8:10-11), two things resurrection reverses.
While people will always remain culpable for their actions, it is helpful for us to remember that the New Testament understands that they are primarily held in bondage by the violent conflict of their nature. Paul sees this human nature as "living inside of him" and even doing things through him he doesn't want to do (Rom 7:18-20). This is helpful because it can keep our hearts soft and help us remain compassionate towards even the worst people. The saying "hurt people hurt people" is true. Every person who has ever hurt you was acting out of a human nature that wasn’t what they are supposed to be. When you are wronged, you are wronged by someone held in bondage by a violent nature that brings forth conflict instead of peace. This doesn't excuse what they did, or permit them to abuse you (or for you to permit their abusive behavior) but it does help us remain compassionate towards them amid their violence. Jesus' prayer on the cross is the fullest embodiment of all that we have discussed thus far, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing."
This is helpful because it can keep our hearts soft and help us remain compassionate towards even the worst people. The saying "hurt people hurt people" is true. Every person who has ever hurt you was acting out of a human nature that isn't what they are supposed to be.
So if, through Adam's rebellion we received a violent human nature characterized by conflict (Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor 15:40-47), we receive a new human nature in the resurrection of Jesus characterized by peace (Eph 4:22-24; 2 Cor 5:17-18; Gal 6:15; Col 3:10, Gal 2:19-20). And here is our way out of the pickle. As love compels us towards people, it stirs us to be constantly searching for their redemption. The New Testament says this new redemptive human nature is being "sown" inside the old one (1 Cor 15:37-38). The two natures continue to exist at the same time, but the new one has been planted by Christ inside each of us. It is growing and it cannot be overcome by the old one any more than Christ could be overcome by death. We must remember the two natures will find themselves in tension with one another.
This should be encouraging for those of us who continue to struggle too. We have often been conditioned to see our struggles as a sign that our faith is weak or that we have failed God. However, they could also be an indication that our new nature is growing inside of us through the redemptive work of Jesus. The tension we feel with our shortcomings can kindle within our hearts a hope that God's Spirit is working. Tension is a sign of redemption. It is reassurance that we don't have to be perfect or attain spiritual perfection. Rather, our struggle, and even our stumbles, are often a sign that the new seed has been sown. This helps us remain compassionate towards ourselves when we do dumb things (and we all do!). Imperfection becomes a canvas for God's grace. Our weaknesses become moments to celebrate God's goodness. Our failures become moments to embrace God's love for us more (2 Cor 12:9).
Tension is a sign of redemption. It is reassurance that we don't have to be perfect or attain spiritual perfection. Rather, our struggle, and even our stumbles, are often a sign that the new seed has been sown. This helps us remain compassionate towards ourselves when we do dumb things (and we all do!). Imperfection becomes a canvas for God's grace.
The resurrection of Jesus means we never lose hope that redemption can occur. One question I often ask myself, and our staff, to help our hearts stay attuned to this hope is: on a scale of 1-5, how cynical (1) or watchful for redemption (5) are you when you meet a person? Are the people in your life just out to get you, or are they places where the irreversible work of resurrection is taking shape even amid conflict, violence, and self-preservation? Answering honestly helps us assess where we are in our embrace of the hope of resurrection.
While it is not an easy path, it is the one God has given us to come and meet Him. We find him through the work He is doing in people. The very Spirit of the resurrected Jesus is working in them, through them and among them. An irreversible seed has been sown, though it might not be always readily obvious. We can remain compassionate and forgiving towards them when they hurt us, and hopeful for their redemption. Yeah, people are dumb. And we are too sometimes. But Jesus is driving that out through the power of resurrection. You can always remain hopeful and watchful!