Family Resemblance
Whose
family likeness do you bear? Do I come
across as more like one who lives by faith in God’s great kindness, goodness
and mercy, or do I resemble more one who thinks that everything stands or falls
on my own actions and accomplishments?
Unfortunately, I think the latter is often more descriptive of my
thoughts and behaviors.
Abraham, who
trusted and believed before he really accomplished anything that we know of,
bears God’s graciousness (Genesis 11-25).
Saul, whose natural and acquired abilities gave him a sense of control
and self-sufficiency, bears man’s independence (1 Samuel 9-31). Here is the paradox of faith: by ceasing to try to do things all for
ourselves, and throwing ourselves on the mercy of God, we are counted as
“justified in our humility, while efforts to present ourselves “justified”
condemn us in our pride and self-righteousness.
These men each suffered hardships and enjoyed blessings, but it is
Abraham whose blessings resulted in great blessings for others.
From the very first recorded covenant between God and
man, to the present day, God bids us to come, and he counts us as righteous
based upon our faith in the grace offered through His program. Abraham believed God and it was counted as
righteousness. He was blessed. And he was blessed so that he would be a blessing.
Its funny how often
do I try to “earn” blessings from God.
Sometimes I even do it thinking that I will achieve some state of
blessing and be a blessing to others.
This is true and possible on some levels I suppose, but the reality is
that when I have “achieved”, I try to impose this same “achievement” on
others. Obviously this is neither grace
nor faith. My “high standards”, my being
“together”, my “knowledge”, do not invite people into the unmerited grace of
God, but they often invite people into a mindset of earning status in the
Christian community, protecting oneself, and trying to achieve God’s approval
by our own works. Do I resemble
Saul?
The beautiful thing
about Abraham’s experience is that ALL are invited in—not just the high
achievers, the self-starters, the socially acceptable. Anyone
who chooses to come, trusting in God’s
mercy and goodness is not only invited, but enabled to enter into a
relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Time and again I need to return to the
reality of what the invitation is: grace
to fall at God’s feet, imperfect, sinful, needy, and broken, ready to receive
and walk in the healing and restoration He has for my soul. In this way, I am blessed right alongside
Abraham who believed. How about you? Who
do you most resemble?
Read and Pray: Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 33, John 8
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