GodReflection: Let’s Restore Humility.

Arrogance is among the most venomous of Satan’s gourds.

He disguises it as a lush fruit. One bite will transform me into an ugly gourd. It produces a strange result. After a big munch others easily see its affect on me while I am slow to notice the difference.

The poison of arrogance taints church pulpits and all levels of government. It finds a home in church pews and far too often in my heart.

I grew up around those who demonstrated a certain amount of confidence in being right. I am often one of them. It is not wrong to desire to be right. I too want to be right when it comes to what is real and true.

My problem is when I reach a conclusion that I perceive to be true, I then proceed to transform my truth into a bullet I can aim at others. When my truth turns out not to be quiet so true I end up misrepresenting God and dimming my reflection of Jesus.

I want to do a better job in representing God’s message by letting others know this is my best judgment at the time on a given subject. Sure, I believe it to be true while at the same time I rely on a super heap of God’s grace with any conclusion I reach. I operate with a human brain not a divine one.

Here is what I think.

I didn’t receive a big dose of humility through my DNA. I came into the world as a self-centered brat wanting dry diapers, food, and attention, all for me. I cried out for others to take care of my needs.

Through the years I’ve attempted to tone down my self-centered will. It’s hard to have friends when it is all about me. I still have room “to tone down” as a member of Christ church.

A good portion of divisiveness found in Christ’s church centers on each of us wanting others to perceive church “just like I see it.”

I believe as we move forward we would enhance unity in the church if we asked the Spirit to work with us on our arrogance by replacing it with Christ like humility.  After all wasn’t it Jesus who said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The path of humble service is the path to unity.

When I can stop insisting upon doing church my way and admit there may be room for a fellow believer to have a biblical opinion, I can begin to walk the road with both Jesus and my Christian siblings.

Where did I ever come up with the belief that God tailored the robe of judgment to fit me? That robe belongs uniquely to the wardrobe of the Creator.

Don’t you think it’s time to take off the robe of judgment and replace it with a suit of humility?  The latter is a much better fit.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflection on Cross Church

Gary@GodReflection.org