The huge royal navy ship, HMS Ambition, ploughed effortlessly through the stormy seas. The captain proudly looked out from the cabin to the waters ahead.
Suddenly he saw a light in the distance. The ship was heading directly towards it. Then through the morse code came a message, "Change your course by 20 degrees or you will crash into us".
The captain turned up his nose and said to his staff,"Who does this ship think they are, this is the HMS Ambition, no one asks us to change course, send back a message asking them to change course by 20 degrees."
Obediently the message boy tapped out the morse code message as ordered. However the same message was received as before, that they had to change course or they would collide.
The captain grew enraged and tapped out the next message himself..."This is Captain Proudhead , I order you to change course immediately".
The return message was interpreted as ...."This is ordinary seaman Bloggs, I repeat my request for you to change course or you will crash into us!"
The captain was now fuming , "What! Ordinary seaman ordering me to move. This cannot be!"
He banged out his next message.."THIS IS HMS AMBITION, THE QUEEN'S OWN SHIP. SHE TURNS FOR NOBODY. CHANGE YOUR COURSE NOW!"
After a while the final message came through...
"This is a LIGHTHOUSE..please change course now or you will crash into us!" (Rich Mullins)
Proverbs 3:34 Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.
There is no arguing that there is a particular favor that God gives to the humble. His compassion is ignited by genuine need that is recognized through humility by the one who has the need. But what if I cannot recognize the need and act as though I am owed something by God as opposed to looking for His mercy?
According to Scripture He gives His grace to the humble.
We are living in a generation that thinks they are owed certain things no matter what they act like or how unthankful they might be. It has created no small amount of problems for society at large, the family, and for the church as well.
When families suffer the church that cares for those families feels the impact of that suffering.
This ideology of being owed something just for existing is hellish at its root and it is opposite humility. It is a worldly attitude at it's root and it does not open our hearts to the grace and mercy of God. God owes no man anything, but He is gracious to those who are humble.
As Christians we are supposed to be growing in knowing the difference between the life and wisdom of God and the death and nonsense of worldly living and wisdom. This is why Scripture teaches us to not adopt worldly attitudes in life but to rather look to God for the right way to think and act, and for the right attitudes to walk in.
There are two attitude enemies when it comes to a greater realization of grace.
1) I earned it by how hard I have worked for it.
2) Because I am a human being equal with all other human beings I am owed it.
Grace is never earned because humility is not a work, it is an attitude.
Having a humble heart towards God does not obligate Him to us, instead it opens up our hearts to realize the love He has for us and just how willing He is to help us according to His great wisdom and purpose for us.
Fact is we desperately need His grace all the time if we are to endure and succeed in the Christian life.
So does Scripture say anything about how grace is gained and if more grace is available to us?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
