Weakness is a blessing in disguise . . .

What do most parents say when their children are feeling inadequate? I know what I used to say: “You can do it. You are smart, capable . . . .” These are the ways we try to build self-worth, self-esteem. I defended them when they felt threatened and tried to build their pride. While my three grew up with a strong sense of justice, they also are independent (like their mother) which makes trusting God a bigger challenge.

Today’s devotional spells out that our culture is enmeshed in the promotion of self-worth and self-promotion. People demand their ‘rights’ and wind up doing what is right in their own eyes. Because our sin nature is proud and selfish, this does not need to be taught or caught — it just is.

I’ve noticed that some ‘Christian’ churches promote the idea that people should feel good about themselves. Humanity is honored rather than God, and very little if anything is said about the value of a broken and contrite heart, or about death to self and submission to God and to human authorities. Many seem to forget that Jesus said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:3–6)

Jesus was speaking in the context of a culture who valued the Word of God, of a people who were familiar with the Old Testament verses that spoke of the value of deep contrition and humility. They knew the words of their beloved King David as he confessed his sin:

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4)

They also knew these words and the truth of them:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

“All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2)

 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Those who trusted the Lord and knew the value of being broken before Him, also knew what to do when they were overwhelmed by sin and that deep sense of being broken, even destroyed by their sin:

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17–19)

Like David, those who are humble and contrite in spirit will ‘take sides with God against himself, justifying God in their own condemnation’ and when we do that, we are justified by God and freed from all condemnation.

^^^^^^^

Jesus, the principles of living in Your kingdom are entirely opposite of the principles of this world. Here, humanity is convinced that the only way to be built up is by exalting oneself, but in the kingdom, we are given worth by being without it and by relying on You as our worth. You “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) No matter how terrible I feel about myself or how broken-hearted I am over my sinfulness, nothing can destroy what I have in You.

Grace and humility

Years ago, someone wrote a book entitled, “Grace is not a Blue-eyed Blonde” with intention to clear up the meaning of biblical grace. This word does have several definitions. It is said to be ‘God’s undeserved kindness’ or ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ My favorite is: ‘a revelation of Jesus Christ that produces a changed life.’

This definition fits my experience of salvation; God opened my heart to realize who Jesus is and what He has done in such a way that I was born anew. It also fits the daily experience of living by grace, growing more like Jesus as He reveals Himself to me through His Word and through my relationship with Him.

The book of job illustrates this definition too. Job had many troubles. He did not know that he was a battleground. Satan challenged the Lord saying if Job was not blessed by God, the faith that God gave him would crumble. God gave this evil being access to do whatever he wanted, only he was not allowed to take Job’s life.

Throughout his trial, Job had no idea what was going on in the spiritual realm. He only knew that he lost everything except his wife and his life. At first, he accepted that God’s hand was on him, but when his three friends began accusing him, things changed. They said he must have done something to deserve this treatment and was being punished. Job knew that was not true and defended himself. However, he became frustrated with their arguments and dangerously close to accusing God of wrong-doing.

In the end, God spoke to him. Here is part of the conversation:

And the Lord said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:1–5)

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1–6)

Job’s attitude of humility came when his eyes saw God, a sovereign act of grace. This ‘seeing’ was not necessarily literal, but the presence of God was so real to him that he used those words. This revelation of God changed Job and moved him to humility.

David experienced the same thing after his sin was uncovered and forgiven. He described the change of heart and said: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

For us, the ultimate revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. The New Testament says things like:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17–18)

Being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ is the destiny of those who believe in Him. As we gaze upon His glory and worship His holy name, we are both humbled and exalted, humbled because we realize who He is and that we are unworthy of His love. Yet we are exalted because we are brought close to Him in that humble state: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

God’s prophets foretell this grace will happen when Jesus comes the second time —in seeing Him, people will be broken and transformed:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Brokenness isn’t the best feeling in the world. Having a contrite heart runs contrary to pride and that ‘self-confidence’ that is supposed to characterize ‘successful’ people. However, it is in this condition that God changes lives. The wisest man said, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I’ve not been fond of feeling broken or contrite, but I realize why these attitudes are necessary to faith. When I think I am important, or self-sufficient, or have merit in myself, I immediately stop trusting You and stop the process of being transformed into Your likeness. Being humble and sorry for my sin keeps me in the right attitude before You.

True repentance

God arranges incredible ‘coincidences’ to drive home truth needed in my life. Before reading “Grace for Today” I read a portion of a book on prayer. The section was about repentance and how important confessing sin is to hearing from God.

Based on the author’s examples, my first thoughts were some bad attitudes I have toward another Christian with whom we spend time. She was raised in legalism, knows it, but has not been able to shake it. While I’d like her to be set free, I’m starting to become annoyed with her constant apologies about not being good enough. My problem is pride, lack of patience, and several other bad attitudes, which I confessed. Then I read today’s devotional. It is entitled “Repentance unto Life” and begins with this verse . . .

“When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.’” (Acts 11:18)

God grants repentance, but as the author points out, there is a repentance which is not from God but produced only by human emotions. He says that fear of consequences, a desire for moral reform, remorse for sin, a desire for heaven, and just saying the words are frequent substitutes for repentance. He points to Cain, Esau, Saul, Ahab, Judas, and others who all perished under God’s wrath because their temporary repentance was false. A couple weeks ago, I realized that being ashamed of myself is not about repentance either. Instead, repentance is sorrow for failing to glorify God.

This series of ‘coincidences’ got my attention. Since God grants repentance that leads to life, I want to be certain that my confession of sin is truly from God and not just a ‘duty’ or some other false utterance to get me out of trouble or relieve a sense of failure. I also find it far too easy to dismiss my sin with a quick ‘I confess . . .’ without having any feelings involved . . .

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”(Zechariah 12:10).

Besides sincere mourning, ‘repentance that leads to life’ involves other essentials like hating sin and my failure to glorify Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit produces these convictions . . .

“And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (John 16:8–11).

Sin is lack of faith and the root of my bad attitudes. Sin is thinking I’m righteous when I have no righteousness. Have I confessed these?

Sin is also judged at the Cross where my redemption was accomplished. Because the prince of this world was also judged, the playing field is leveled and my sin was judged right up there with Satan’s. Sin is a far more serious issue than merely being annoyed with someone.

Repentance that leads to life involves turning away from sin but also turning to God. Salvation cannot happen without it, nor can I serve Him if I have my own little shelf of idols — like pride, impatience, and other bad attitudes . . .

“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

God says: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Reconciliation is a commitment of the heart to Christ. As He told the crowds, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple . . . . any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25–33).

True conviction equals conversion equals commitment, but also continuing endurance. I cannot drop those bad attitudes for a day or two. I must also continue to turn from them to the will of God and the love of Christ for others . . .

Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Jesus, I know that repentance produces a changed life, not merely attitudes and behavior, but a deeper faith and with greater perseverance. As I bring all of this to You, I trust You to forgive and cleanse me so that my attitude and behavior will glorify and please You.