Month: September 2010

Lessons from God: On Humility and loving others

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While driving in to work this morning, I overheard Max Lucado on KLOVE.

To paraphrase him:

“We have to remember, that even as Christians, we aren’t any better than others out there… The Bible says that salvation is a gift, and not faith through works. That means that we’re still just as bad as them, but we have the blessing that comes from God. And we need to remember that, and with humility act lovingly to each other.”

Christians often think that, because of the blessing of our salvation, we somehow are better than the “vast masses of unwashed sheep” out there – but when it comes down to it, we’re not. We were born sinners, we continue to sin (often on a daily basis), but — we were offered (and accepted) the blessing of Salvation.

That makes us different, but not better.

I actually think it raises the bar for Christians – our faith is not rooted in our works, but our faith does requires continual work on our part.

James 2:14 —

14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

…

26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

God loves us, and offers us the blessing of Salvation and a life spent following him. But if we accept that gift, we, out of love in return, are called to humble ourselves and love others.

Think about it.

Slow Fade

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Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands
as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

— Casting Crowns, Slow Fade