Humility

Ever notice the tiny bit of mental energy it takes to be mistaken, but how much anguishing energy it takes to correct it? I’m sure you have. The lingering knowledge of the mistake, be it a calculation error, a personal attack-type error, or doctrinal, or anything: that knowledge of the error can weigh a body down!

When we set out to atone or correct it, how we do fight the tendency to somehow justify ourselves (even just a little bit) by terms such as, “well, at the time I…” or “I didn’t know it was gonna cause…”  or worse “I don’t think it’s that bad…!” Where does it say we get to be exonerated from our own stupidity? No, we need to learn humility by the total admission of guilt. Self worth takes another hit, BAM! One of the hardest things to learn and retain in our knowledge is the cleansing effect of simply taking the blame. It is a greater form of  strengthening than any form of self-justification.

That’s how eternal life in Jesus Christ is given to us. We all know what we are and all the guilt we’ve swallowed or tucked away so as to not be so noticeable. We look like and feel like we’re not too bad. Like a friend once told me, in response to me telling him “Christ died for your sins,” he came back with, “Well, he didn’t need to do that.” That took me back (no one had ever said that to me) and I said, “Well, sure He did.” My friend said, “I could of done something about ‘em, couldn’t I?”

I said, “the bible says the wages of sin is death.” He said, “Oh.” and walked out the door. About two months later, he stepped into my office and told me and a man sitting with me, “I just wanted you two to know, that I’ve trusted Christ as my Saviour.”

Later conversation with him showed me he had just gotten so he couldn’t stand the inability to do anything to make it alright, and he gave up, and let the Lord save him. Praise the Lord for His matchless grace; He’s gracious to us and He makes it alright.

Interesting stat about my Cubbies (the Chicago Cubs is a baseball team in case someone isn’t familiar.) This year so far, they have won 44 games after being behind—come from behind wins! That’s half their wins! You’d have to say they want to win. Maybe there’s another World Champion here!!

Oh, has football started yet? Just kiddding! Everyone knows football is a Fall sport, right?

SIMH today is “To Love Somebody”  BeeGees. This may have been brought on by listening to some BeeGees hunting for something else about two weeks ago. (There’s no real reason songs pop up in my head every day, is there?)

Thanks for reading, the Elder