In many Christian spaces salvation is primarily understood to be "forgiveness." Our pressing problem is guilt.
I imagine you sense this also about yourself. If you do, you know the ache behind the petition: "Heal me." There is a tear within us that needs mending, a sickness that needs medicine. A bleeding that needs stanching and a wound that needs stitching. We are ailing, injured, and feverish. And so we pray, with tears on our cheeks: "Heal me."
To be sure, guilt and shame haunt us. But for my part, this understanding of our predicament doesn't cut deep enough. For within myself I sense a great instability. A brokenness, a fragility. A crack. I am weak. I wobble and waver. I am unsteady. Perpetually confused and frustrated with myself. I am not well. Not yet whole and healthy.
