The world we live in operates according to certain basic
principles. When we know them and live accordingly, our
understanding of the world we live in deepens.
The world we live in operates according to certain basic principles. When we know them and live accordingly, our understanding of the world we live in deepens. Over the past few weeks we’ve looked at five of them; today we’ll look at a few more.
Principle No. 6: There are no “super Christians.” Romans 3:23 tells us why: “There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Are you afraid? Everybody is. Are you worried? Everybody is. Are you lonely? Everybody is. Have you failed? Everybody has. So welcome to the human race! Of course, if you openly confess these things, people might look at you like a wierdo… but you’re not. You’re just that little kid telling the Emperor that he’s not wearing any clothes.
Principle No. 7: Be glad when dogs play checkers. If my dog were to play checkers, I wouldn’t criticize her game; I would be pleased and surprised that she was playing at all. Likewise, we should be pleased when sin-afflicted human beings (that’s all of us; see principle No. 6) do anything good at all.
Christians are not perfect, but we do look forward to the day when we will be restored to the wholeness God originally created us to have. As 1 John 3:2 tells us, “We are already the children of God, but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is that when it is revealed we shall be like Christ…”
Given the fact that none of us are perfect (or even close) and that we’re still in the process of growing into the people God wants us to be, we need to cut each other some slack.
Our culture has duped us into expecting everything to be instant. But growing in Christian maturity is a process… and it’s a process that takes on all sorts of shapes, depending on the person. My experiences and challenges are going to be different than yours, and yours are going to be different than everyone else’s. This is why it’s so important to not create some sort of mold you think all Christians should fit into. If you want to make it through the Christian life with any kind of balance at all, you need to learn two things: All us are different, but none of us are perfect.
Principle No. 8: It’s easier to hug a dirty kid than a stiff one. Psalm 51:17 says, “God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.” Then there’s the story Jesus told in Luke 18:9-14, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee stood up and prayed, “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people! I’m not a robber or a dishonest person. I haven’t committed adultery. I’m not even like this tax collector.” But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “Oh God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God, but the Pharisee was not. The proud will be made humble, but all who make themselves humble will be made great.'”
With these two passages in mind, let me ask you a question: Have you ever tried to hug a stiff kid – a sullen or angry teen, for example? It’s kind of like hugging a cactus. On the other hand, I remember years ago when we lived in the country how my daughter loved to play in the dirt (especially when it was mixed with water). When I would get home she would jump up and run toward me, her muddy little arms outstretched for a hug… and guess what? It was real easy to hug her! It’s easy to hug a dirty kid that loves you, and hard to hug a stiff kid.
The same is true in our relationship with God. He would say to you, “Child, your dirt is fixable… that’s what the cross is all about. It’s your stiffness that will kill you.” God can hug us when we’re dirty; He’ll even cleanse us… as long as we don’t allow our pride to stiffen us.
