Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Spiritual Giant / Humble Follower

I see two tensions operating clearly for many in the faith today...

We all need to discover our identity in Christ, the position of authority that grants us, and the power we have to influence any part of our world.
We also need to discover our identity in Christ, where we do not think more highly of ourselves than we should, where we desire only to glorify the Father.

Israels first King was a guy called Saul.
His story relates so well to this tension.
When he is first introduced to his people as King they couldn't find him. That is because he was hiding, that's right hiding in the language. This is the same guy who was described as taller than most other men around him. And one day when he came into contact with the presence of God, launched into prophesying.

It seems this humility wasn't lasting or maybe not genuine in the first place?
Not long after all this, as King he accuses David falsely many times, attempts to kill him numerous times and shows contempt for those closest to him.
He went from overly humble (hiding in the luggage) to so self important he presented offerings he was never authorised to bring and gave into crowd pressure to keep his position.
His life ends on a hill surrounded by his enemies, needing his armour bearer to help him commit suicide. Hardly a glorious end to a life full of potential.

I think God wants us to believe we can make a difference without becoming a Saul in the process.

Galatians 3:26 says that you and I "are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." - meaning we have princely rights and authority based on that position.
Elsewhere we are told we are "seated with Christ in heavenly places", that we can "ask for anything in His name", that we can "speak to mountains and they will move".

But let us balance this with these words from Jesus...
 “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'” Luke 17:10 niv.

Humility will protect you from destroying yourself in your new found power.
Spiderman's Grandma shared some words of wisdom to a young Spidey one day..."With great power comes great responsibility".
I think we each have a responsibility to deal with our own hearts first and foremost.

My encouragement to you today is embrace these two things:
1. That you can be a spiritual giant.
2. That you should stay a humble follower.
Then you stay the distance, enjoy the journey, and finish your race well.

Something to think about...



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