Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from
now on you will catch men.” So they
pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10b-11
It is a curious grace to reach the empty end of ourselves. Like frustrated fishermen, we have cast
enormous nets for our own glory only to be disappointed with our catch. Whether we’ve hauled in knowledge or wealth,
fame or stature, advancement or achievement, none have measured up to our
expectations. Dissatisfied, we drop our
nets again and again in search for more and more, until we realize and confess
the futility and mockery of “it’s all about me.” And in these precious times of truth so
convicting, we relinquish our pride so unfulfilling.
Yet what God empties he also fills. We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, and graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature. Is it any wonder when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow him? And doesn’t his love compel us to do the same?
Then how amazing the things God does through people humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ! For, who but the heart awakened by grace rises to seek and to serve those once distanced in indifference or contempt? Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own sins forgiven? Who lives as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those he has liberated from fear? Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ? And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice do we sacrifice our life, in turn, for him.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” wrote Peter (1 Peter 5:6). He’d seen it modeled somewhere before ...
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Yet what God empties he also fills. We are thus twice-humbled: deservedly brought low in the pride of our sinful nature, and graciously raised up as partakers in Christ’s divine nature. Is it any wonder when called to follow Jesus, Peter and his friends left it all behind to follow him? And doesn’t his love compel us to do the same?
Then how amazing the things God does through people humbled in their flesh and living boldly in the humility of Christ! For, who but the heart awakened by grace rises to seek and to serve those once distanced in indifference or contempt? Who releases grudges held against others but those who sigh in relief over their own sins forgiven? Who lives as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God but those he has liberated from fear? Who stands in prayer against the powers of darkness but the one who has overcome them in Christ? And only in the love and power of Christ’s sacrifice do we sacrifice our life, in turn, for him.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time,” wrote Peter (1 Peter 5:6). He’d seen it modeled somewhere before ...
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
No comments:
Post a Comment