Finger Pointing

The beginning of a new year is a good time to take inventory of the heart.  In the spirit of self-examination, then, I am publishing an excerpt from 52 Days of Grace to help us as we take a look at ourselves.  

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)  May this be the cry of your heart in 2015.

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”  (Romans 1:17)

“Those so-called Christians…”

“So-and-So says she’s a Christian, but she sure doesn’t act like one.”

Maybe you’ve heard a brother or sister in Christ utter these words, or maybe you’ve said them yourself.  It’s easy to take the law, and apply it to everyone else and point out where they fall short.

William Faulkner said, “All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection.”  Others’ shortfalls seem to glare out at us, but not one of us is capable of doing everything right. We all fall short: Thus, our need for a Savior.  (Romans 3:23) 

Under the new covenant, we are made right before the Lord by faith.  “This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.”  (Romans 1:17 NLT) 

There is not one bit of evidence that through our own effort anyone can look more Christ-like.  It is only our faulty human perspective that expects so much of others.

Acknowledging our need for Jesus in every waking moment leads to a humility that won’t allow finger-pointing.  None of us looks like a Christian apart from faith in Jesus.  This is a moment-by-moment act of surrendering.  Our fingers, unfortunately, are drawn to point out the flesh in all of us.

Focus on Christ found in each of us, 

not on the flesh struggling for attention.

In what areas of your life do you most struggle with seeing other believers’ sin?

How much time do you spend applying God’s Word to your own areas of sin in comparison to how much you direct it toward others?

How much do you focus on Jesus throughout the day?  What if you replaced those thoughts of others with thoughts of Jesus and what He has done for you?

Heavenly Father,

It is so easy for me to point the finger at others, while rarely taking a look at my own sin.  Help me to see my sin as You see it, and thus awaken my deep need for Jesus and His redemption.  Thank you for the redemptive work He accomplished on the cross.  I ask for strength to see others as You see them through the blood of Jesus. 

I pray these things in Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Click here to order a copy of 52 Days of Grace for yourself.

The Chair

Today's edition of Writings on the Doorframe comes from my new book, "52 Days of Grace," available now on Amazon:

The Chair

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say?  ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’

“Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised?  We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.  Under what circumstances was it credited?  Was it after he was circumcised, or before?  It was not after, but before!  And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.  So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.  And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”  (Romans 4:1-12)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  (Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus, being the author and perfecter of our faith, has equipped us to trust God for our justification.  No one that ever lived has been successful to work his way into God’s graces.  Even Abraham, who was considered to be a friend of God and made it into the -- Hall of Fame of Faith -- found in Hebrews 11, was made righteous not by his effort, but by his belief in God.

When we refrain from working to try to get right with God but instead trust simply in Him, the dividend of this faith is righteousness.  We can’t trust God without faith in Him, and we can’t be made righteous without trusting God.  Trust is the manifestation of our faith.  We know we have faith in God when we act on that faith by obeying His calling, just like Abraham did many times.

Think about a chair.  Before we sit down, we have to have faith that the chair will do as it promises to do; hold our full weight without collapsing.  We put that faith to the test by trusting this chair with our load, and thus lowering ourselves down to rest in it.  The act of sitting would never occur if we didn’t trust the chair, and we’d never trust the chair if we didn’t have faith in its integrity, character and ability to deliver on its promise to hold us.  Likewise, action (obedience) is the evidence of trusting God, but trusting is impossible without faith in Him.  This faith in action results in the gift of righteousness, something that can never be earned in our own effort.

When we show our faith in God,

we are made sinless in His eyes.

How do you try to earn your righteousness by doing good deeds?

When do you feel so unworthy of God’s love that you keep your distance in shame?

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your unspeakable love.  This amazing love sent Jesus to the cross, taking the punishment meant for my sins and thus making a way for me to get right with You.  Help me to treasure this bond that has been created between us by the blood of Jesus, holding it as my most treasured possession.  Every time I trust You enough to live as You intended me to live, I am using the gift of faith You have provided.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

Do you want your own copy of 52 Days of Grace?  

Follow this link to order yours today!