1 John 1:8-10
If we claim that we’re free of sin,
we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On
the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he
won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and
purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we
out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that
only shows off our ignorance of God.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
At the start of the summer,
my friend Melissa telephoned me one night with a dilemma. Her son
Ladd’s baseball pants had just arrived...and they were far too big. I
think this was maybe a Tuesday night – and his first game was on Friday.
“Do you think there is any way you could take them up for us?” she
asked. I told her that I would be glad to take a look and see what I
could do, and she and Ladd came over and brought his two baseball
uniforms. These pants were more than just a little too big...and as I
contemplated how to fix them – or IF I could fix them, 8-year-old Ladd
said, “It’s okay. I’ll just wear them like this. They’re not really
that bad.”
The pants really were “that bad”...particularly
one pair. They were too long, and the seat hung nearly to his knees. I
made some temporary adjustments and let Ladd try them on to see if I
was getting anywhere, and his little face just “lit up” when he saw how
much better the pants were fitting. Melissa said, “We hated to ask you
to do this, but we didn’t know who else to call.” I told her that I
would have been insulted if she had NOT called me. I’m not a
professional seamstress, but God blessed me with a grandmother and
mother who taught me to sew, and I am able to do a fairly decent job of
it. The thought that my little friend would have played baseball all
summer in those baggy, uncomfortable pants tugged at my heartstrings. I
was thrilled to be able to come to his rescue.
Have you ever
tried to help someone who you knew was in need...and this person would
not let you? It was clearly evident that the person required help...an
elderly man or woman who needed a ride to the store or to a doctor
visit...someone who was sick and refused to let you even bring over a
meal, much less do anything for them inside their house...or even a
friend or classmate who could use a ride to school, work, or church.
When people like this say, “I’m okay...I don’t need anything” – and you
know better - it’s enough to make you crazy...right?
Even worse
is when you learn later that the person you tried to help has told
someone either that “I managed all on my own”...or uttered the ultimate
insult...”No one cared enough to help me!” This may make you feel
misunderstood – as if you offered to help with ulterior motives or hopes
of “glory” and recognition, when you truly were just trying to offer
support or service. You may feel insulted...because in essence, the
person in need has just called you a “liar” as he/she discounted your
offers of love and assistance. You would have gladly come to their aid
any way you could...and asked nothing in return. And now, you’ve not
only been deprived of this opportunity...you have been somewhat
disrespected in the bargain.
Now think about God and how we treat
Him. He stands ready to help us...to lift us up and tackle our
burdens. He knows our needs even better than we do...yet we pretend
that we don’t need Him to help us with anything. We claim we are
“doing okay”...that if we have committed any sins, they really weren’t
that bad...and we relegate God to a back room for when things really go
wrong. We like to say that we are humble, but in truth, our inability
to acknowledge God’s grace and mercy and accept His help and forgiveness
– and often that of our friends and neighbors – is nothing more than
arrogance and/or pride – which are both sins in themselves.
If
you are one of those people who cannot accept help from others, get over
yourself. Quit robbing them of the blessing of serving you in Jesus’
name. If you have claimed to be sinless...or you have failed to give
God credit for His grace, mercy and forgiveness in your life, it’s time
you got busy figuring out who He really is – and getting better
acquainted!
When I delivered Ladd’s pants to him the day of his
first game, he was over-the-moon thrilled with the results. But he was
not any happier than I was. To see him so relieved and confident made
my heart swell. Too often, we don’t think about how we deprive God of
opportunities to be delighted and pleased with us. All He wants is for
us to turn to Him...to ask for His help...and to accept His grace and
mercy. What He pours out on us in return is truly astonishing...and
totally undeserved...but incredibly comforting nonetheless. Won’t you
allow God – and others – to help you? Aren’t you ready to come clean
and move forward? Will today be the day you begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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