Oblivious?

Some people are oblivious to their own selfishness. Sometimes I am, particularly if another person does things that harm me without realizing that the harm hit hard because what they did interfered with or made nothing out of what I wanted. If another person is rude to me by saying and doing what they know and intend to hurt, that is one thing, but if they are simply wanting their own way without thinking much about it, then what do I do? And I can be the one who is oblivious and thoughtlessly hurts others.

Retaliation is not allowed. That puts a further wedge in the relationship. Besides, if that is suitable, it is up to God to take revenge. Telling them (or me) they are sinning does not work either, because that is the role of the Holy Spirit. At times, I am so blind to my own sin that I cannot see it unless He reveals it. I’m usually shocked and ashamed, but until He opens my eyes, that sinful attitude might not be part of my awareness.

When Jesus came into this world, it is certain that most of the people were ignorant of the extent of their sin. He came to the Jews, God's chosen who considered their relationship with Him as His chosen made them right about everything. Christians can assume that too. But it is not true. Otherwise there would be no need for verses like these:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12–15)

This morning I read this prayer and then prayed it:

Lord, I’m more than a bit weary as the day begins. I feel tired, discouraged, listless, on edge, and uptight. I don’t know if I’ve tried to get too much done in too little time. I’m not sure about the spiritual warfare issues swirling about me; it could be the accuser whispering lies and condemnation. Perhaps it’s just that I’m getting older and I don’t have the same energy I used to have. It could just be the tension of life in the “already and not yet,” or maybe I’m trying to do life with too little sleep. Then again, possibly it’s just the groaning of birth pangs in my heart, so wanting to be much more like Jesus than I already am. Probably it’s all of the above. In any case, and every case, I look to you to encourage my heart and strengthen me for gospel deeds and words all this day long. I cast my care on you because I know you care for me. I pray in Jesus’ name, with thanksgiving and glad anticipation. Amen.

These words were written more than a decade ago, in another country, by a person I don’t know who is a pastor. He does not know me, but expressed exactly how I feel today, except that he is blaming himself rather than the actions of others. Yet it soothes my heart to know that others wake up the same way and have the same temptations. His words end by telling me that the answer is never a pity-party but alway looking to Jesus and casting my care on Him.

The Colossians passage is God speaking from the same source. He tells me that whether the other person is aware or oblivious, my task is to forgive, be kind, and patient, and remember that we are all fighting sin — and are in varying stages of realizing what our battles are all about. I need less frustration and far more compassion for others. 

PRAY: These verses quoted by the same author are what I need to say to You, Jesus. You are my Lord Jesus Christ, God and my Father. You love me and give me eternal comfort and good hope through grace. Comfort my heart and establish it in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17) And work in those who seem oblivious to their selfishness as I often am. Bring unity to our hearts. Amen. 

God does keep working . . .

 

 

My dad often made fun of government workers claiming that one would dig a hole and the other three would lean on their shovels and watch. This tied with those who say, “I love work; I could watch it all day.” For me, work is generally a good thing, but I do love to watch it — when God is doing the WORK!

In the lives of people, God’s work begins with conviction of sin and the work of redemption. He says our works cannot make that happen because salvation is by grace through faith and faith is His gift to us. When Jesus was asked, “What must we do to be doing the works of God?” He said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

The Laws of God were not given to save us but to show us we need saving. Romans 3:20 says, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin” and Romans 4:5 completes the idea: “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” This is stated again in Ephesians 2:8–9: “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.”

But this marvelous saving work by God does not end there. After that, verse 10 says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Any goodness and power in His people are the result of His work in our hearts and lives. Even though the Bible tells us to, “Work out your salvation” it adds, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

His workmanship includes many activities. For instance, 2 Timothy 3:16–17 tells how, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Because He equips us, we need to read and study His Word so we can, “Do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” We are His workers, yet He is behind all the work done. For example, Acts 13:2 tells how the early believers “were worshiping the Lord and fasting” the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

With that, the Lord also says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Part of that reward is His comfort and grace that “comforts our hearts and establishes them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, also see Hebrews 13:20-21) and the promise that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. In our church, we often say, “Only God” because God does the work and there is no room for boasting, only to give Him glory. Yet as Paul wrote in Romans 15:17, “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God” and in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” At the same time, he also called himself the “chief of sinners.” He knew where his power to work came from.

I do too. He works in my life so I can work to benefit the lives of others. He “works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”  I also know that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” I can seek the good of others and do even the hard stuff as He gives the energy and the zeal for each task. He moves me to devote myself to doing good so I can “help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” As James 2 says, the work of God is to enable His servants to demonstrate our faith with the good works that He gives us to do . . . and to be joyful as we watch Him work out the results.