The Gospel hurts worse than having a leprous heart. I know that in the end it hurts far worse to have a heart deadened to God. But this side of redemption having a heart sensitive to the Spirit and fighting sin hurts. It hurts when the gospel rips idols out of my heart. It hurts when I am fully exposed. It hurts when the gospel will not allow me to hide (from God or neighbor). It hurts when the gospel makes me face things I would rather not. The gospel hurts.
Leprosy on the other hand—you don’t feel a thing. Of course this means that you are also deadened to beauty. You cannot really feel kisses. You cannot really feel a warm embrace. Sunsets are ignored. Food tastes bland. Life feels dull. But leprosy doesn’t hurt; or at least it doesn’t appear to at the moment.
So do I believe Jesus enough to let the gospel hurt? Or will I try to put on a leprous heart?
