03/14/2019
Are we proud and arrogant in our faith? Do we have an overconfidence in our own ability to follow Jesus? When we begin to approach our faith with pride rather than humility then we are dangerously on the verge of falling aside from Christ. Did Jesus take pride in the miracles performed by His hand?
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV
In College I played intramural football. My team was by far the best team on campus. We soundly defeated every other team we came up against, but in the course of our glory we fell victim to overconfidence and pride. In the championship tournament we were to play a team we had beaten handily on several occasions, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we would defeat them again, so we neglected to practice and prepare for them as we should, and as a result something happened during that game... we tripped over our own confidence and arrogance, and this lesser team beat us. We were shocked by our poor play, and that this team was able to rise to the occasion. This is true of our faith as well... when we lose sight of prayer, reading God’s Word, living the life of Jesus, and of the fact that it is God’s will we are doing, then we will fall.
I asked previously if Jesus took pride in the miracles performed at His hand, and the proper answer to that question is a resounding NO! His humility was always intact, and even when tempted in the desert He responded with scripture... not His own words. Jesus humbly announced to all that He had no power except that which God gave Him, and that He did the Father’s will. Let’s read these two verses from John 5 and then look inwardly at our own faith...
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19 ESV
And...
“"I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.”
John 5:30-31 ESV
What do we do with the things God instructs us to do? When we are in intercessory prayer and God heals someone as we pray, do we take glory in His work? If the Lord sends us to instruct the church on the direction it should go do we puff out our chest and claim His wisdom as our own? When we rise early and write down a sermon as He dictates do we say “Oh, what a great writer and orator I am!”, and take the credit for His handiwork? In these ways we stand alone, and separate ourselves from the example taught by Jesus... this is when we fall. Great or small, we all trip and fall just the same. Powerful men of faith, or the most marginal believer, we all falter in our own prideful efforts. This is nothing new, as a quote from Charles Spurgeon shows us...
“Be careful not to glory in your own graces, but let all glorifying and confidence be in Christ and His strength. This is the only way you can keep from falling.” - Charles Spurgeon
God’s Will directs us, Jesus strengthens us, the Holy Spirit enables us, but we should be like a marionette in the hands of the puppeteer, and do exactly as he desires. Then, when the play is complete, the master is able to take his bow, and we find our rest in the silk lined box that has been prepared for us.
When we looked into ourselves what did we see? Did we find the arrogance of a self-centered person? Did we find someone who took glory for his Father’s work? I hope not, and I pray that it was a reflection of God’s will that beamed back at us.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your will in my life, and for all the wonderful things you give me to do for you. I thank you Lord for the example your Son Jesus provides me as He remained faithfully within your perfect plan and will; giving you the glory for all that you did through Him to accomplish it. There is nothing that I can do without your hands directing my efforts, and I should find it incredulous that anyone should attempt to usurp your glory. Doctors can perform an operation, but only you can heal the wound they create, just as pastors can preach the gospel, but only you can save a soul. Help me Merciful Father when I attempt to delude myself by believing that I am more than a tool in the performance of your great works. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who does great things with His hand on me, and to whom all glory belongs. Praised be your name always Gracious Lord, for nothing is accomplished by my efforts without your guiding will, and the gifts you provide me to accomplish it. Who am I? Did I create myself wise? Did I give myself a strong body? Did I ordain myself? Do I impart your great gifts to myself? No, it is by you, and for your glory alone that I am wonderfully made. In this way I worship you now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes