Life Matters - April 5, 2023
While reading a weekly column may well give the reader a sense of personal acquaintance with the writer, still, since I’ve not had the privilege of meeting so many of you dear readers in person, I thought perhaps I should take the time to properly introduce myself. So here goes…
I’m a nobody.
I can’t do anything right.
I’m scared.
I’m stupid.
I’m selfish.
I’m despised.
I’m rejected.
How did I even get here?
I hate myself…
At least that’s the way I feel or have felt at times. And according to the socialist Wokerites, feelings are to be trusted at all times, they are always right. Right?
Well … I don’t think it’s up to me to decide which feelings are reality and which ones are not, as I, according to Matthew chapter seven, am not called to judge others nor even to judge myself, as in I Corinthians chapter four. We are, however, called upon to judge “all things,” that is if we are spiritual minded, as we are instructed in I Corinthians chapter two.
Some sins God has openly judged already, (Romans 1) where God judges the gender-confused for being “fools.” Some sins, such as those driven by selfishness and covetousness, are less apparent but are nonetheless defiling. Other sins, such as self-degrading thoughts, can be even less apparent, can even seem humble to the thinker because the degradation is directed, not so much at others, but is internalized upon oneself. Such self-degrading “humble pie,” however, is not just insulting oneself, but is insulting a created being of whom I am a part, as well as all of us and is, therefore, insulting God who did the creating. By cursing oneself, (I’m stupid, etc.), we not only internalize rejection of ourselves, but also internalize rejection of the Creator. We are in need of respect for God’s creation; which differs from self respect by the person of its focus.
So now, for the rest of the story: A story that begins and ends with Jesus, around whom it revolves, centers, and comes to rest. Outside of whom opinions matter so little as to be obsolete. He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6) We can never become more spiritual by being less scriptural. Whether I’m a “nobody” or a “somebody” appears only as a now and then blip on the Richter scale of finite upheavals, because God, “who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6) Jesus Lives! And the reality of “He is Risen!” is the reality that draws my attention to His work and away from myself. I can no longer be a “nobody,” groveling in a “mud hole,” nor can I be a “somebody,” exalting myself above my fellow wayfarers. Nay, we are in this together and those who are “quickened together” may also “sit together” (and stand together) in Christ to fulfill the “Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus Christ, beloved, is God’s answer to this and all the other self-flagellations I began this introduction with. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our transgression of God’s Law, written in His Word and woven into His creation. Left to myself, I am a sinner. That is why I, or anyone else for that matter, will never be a good socialist. Because natural law is woven into the very fabric of nature. By Jehovah God. Not so we can show, tell, and experience what good people we are, but so He can show and tell us how bad we are without Him. And not only so we can see that we need Him, but to see, accept, and believe how desperately we need Him. The plight of the human race is desperate indeed, but is enabled to be saved by God. By His grace extended to us through Jesus Christ, His Son, who died for us and rose from the grave!
He lives!
He intercedes for us!
He saves us!
He enables us!
He gives courage, light and life!
May the joy of our risen Savior be yours and mine this Easter season and always!
Life Matters!