06/13/2019
Do you resist faith, or neglect sitting at the feet of Jesus, because you don’t feel worthy, or perhaps you snub your nose at faith, and avoid Christ because you feel these things are beneath you. It doesn’t really matter what separates you from God, the great loss comes simply from your separation. We are no better or worse from one another when lost to faith, and unable to walk with the Lord.
“The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
Revelation 22:17 ESV
There was a reason why God made it necessary to send Jesus to redeem us. There is a reason why His Grace is free as it flows from Calvary, and why it is not earned by us, or achieved by our own doing. Let’s listen to a couple of wonderful scriptural passages...
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
In this passage boasting is specifically called out. This is for those who think they are too good to believe, or can accomplish what God offers by their own efforts. In the end, when their lives are spent, even the greatest of them is no closer to heaven that when they first began... they weep in contrition and offer all they have to God because for all they have accomplished in this world, all the wealth and power accumulated, they are not a step closer to the greatest treasure... the divine eternity... the pearl of great value.
“"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46 ESV
Seeking to save ourselves, or feeling too good for faith separates us from God, and although we feel like we are progressing, the truth remains... only His grace can save us.
Paul speaks also to those on the other end of the spectrum, those who feel unworthy... too lowly or lost in sin for God’s forgiveness. Once again we are separating ourselves; we feel that God has a limit, even though in this case it is a lower limit. We tell ourselves that He will stoop down to redeem, but He can’t possibly reach as low as we are. Our second passage from Paul speaks to those lost souls who feel this way...
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:12-14 ESV
It is easy to give up, and say I am not good enough, but you are. You are precious to the Lord, and despite your sins, or feelings of inadequacy, He desires you to take His hand... to receive His grace, and to sit at His table.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20 ESV
When we read the passages in Matthew 25 about helping those in need like the homeless, the sick, and the thirsty, it goes beyond these to anyone who feels too downtrodden to receive Faith, and the Lord... Jesus tells us that our hand should be extended just as His is... to the terrible sinner, or those who otherwise feel unworthy. Is this speaking of you who is downtrodden? Do you feel unworthy of mention in the book of life? Well, you are not... your separation is no different than that of the most brilliant, wealthy, or moral of those who are lost; who find themselves distanced from God. Our separation... the chasm between ourselves and God... is no different despite how it was created.
“And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'”
Matthew 25:40 ESV
So understand this... you can’t save yourself, and you are never too low, or too far gone for God’s grace to redeem you. No matter how you have lived, and by what means you have separated yourself from God, and Jesus Christ... God’s grace is sufficient, and His hand is reaching out to you. Can you let go of all you have valued in life to receive His pearl? Can you lift your sinful, or decrepit hand to take His? If you can He is waiting to forgive, heal, and receive you. Now is the time to reach out from wherever you find yourself.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your mercy and grace that reaches across the divide, and takes our hand. Thank you Holy Father for the worth you see in us despite our worldly station, means, or faithfulness. Help us Merciful Father to realize the distance we have placed between ourselves and you, and to understand that although we view it as immense, it is but a short step in your eyes. Teach us Father to look beyond where we are in our lives today towards you, and to hear your voice calling to us “Come!” Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who judges the kings and paupers alike, and who sees the glimmering treasure in every soul. Great are you who provides a way for each of us as you lead us from the pit in which we find ourselves. Then, praised be your name as we call out from the mountaintop where your grace has placed us, and as we sing of your Glory that shines from so many souls... once lost.
Rich Forbes