A couple of nights ago, Donna and I watched "Seven Pounds" and as soon as I successfully guessed the plot, which wasn't very far into the movie, I thought it one of the most misguided movies recently made. You might think that statement over the top, especially in the light of many of the other movies out there, but the one that makes this one so devious is that it will certainly seem so sincere to most people.
I'll try to explain the high points as efficiently as possible, but don't read on if you haven't seen the movie but plan to. I'm about to give the plot away.
Ben (not his name, he impersonates his brother for almost the entire movie) is wracked with guilt over an accident he caused because he was texting on his cell phone. The accident killed his fiancee and six people in another vehicle. Deciding he does not deserve to live, he sets out to atone for his own sin before he takes his own life.
So he finds seven people, does his homework in order to satisfy his own judgement that they are worthy of his kindness, and orchestrates what on the surface and at the beginning seems like noble gestures. He begins with simple things like donating bone marrow (!) to various organs, he gives away his house and car, and finally the last two organs he gives are his eyes and his heart--literally. He commits suicide in order to give his organs to others whom he deemed more worthy than himself to live.
Think about this:
1. What makes a guy who believes he isn't worthy even to live the final judge of worthiness of these seven other people?
2. If such a small mistake can make someone unfit to live, how can these seven others deserve life, when they have certainly committed such small errors whether they have or have not caused such great tragedy? Does the randomness of the consequences convey that kind of guilt?
3. Why would these seven deserve such gifts of grace and Ben not deserve the gift of grace as well?
4. If Ben was motivated to serve and sacrifice to atone for his mistake, isn't it a cop-out to skip life all together when this young man could have dedicated his life to serving much more than seven?
This is a great example of what a blind world believes is justice. A world who doesn't know the grace of Christ and the freedom that He offers to all. The Bible says that Satan is the great accuser, and his great desire is to encourage sin, and then use guilt to destroy their lives. Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.
Here is the truth that Ben and the world desperately needs to know:
1. All have sinned and none deserve life--all are equally undeserving.
2. God is the only righteous judge. The only one qualified to pass judgment.
3. There is nothing we can do that will atone for our own sin.
4. The good news (gospel) is that Christ came to make the sacrifice for all of us that Ben tried to make. Jesus did in not just for seven, but for everyone--even Ben. That sacrifice will atone for those who receive it.
5. The result of this good news is the opportunity to live in grace and spread grace that gives both life and death meaning.
Grace is still the stumbling block for sinner and pharisee alike. Most can only understand it when it is visibly demonstrated.
Phil
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