What is the source of humility in the Christian life? Where do we find the source of strength we need to forgive one another our debts? Where do we find the strength to not defend ourselves when we are sinned against by our own brothers and sisters, as well as unbelievers? Is it not the Cross of Jesus Christ? I once took the notion that I need to stay away from people who do not encourage me. While there is some truth to this idea, at its core it is very self-serving. I believed everyone should see good in me and seek to build me up. If they did not offer me this service I lost interest in them as they no longer were useful to me and my purposes. My hypocrisy is evident. I was not spending my days building up others, but I expected this service for myself.
My pride kept me from being a servant because I lived my life in light of what I thought I deserved. But when I look at the Cross and what Jesus experienced there I see exactly what I deserved. However, I also see astonishing love. Romans 6 says that the wages of sin is death. Because I know I have sinned deeply against God and man I deserved the wages for my works...death. But (at the cross) there was God in Jesus paying my debts for me, forgiving my debts completely. There is no other explanation for this act except God's great love. So how does living in light of this act of love empower me to be patient with those who sin against me, to love them and encourage them? As I dwell beneath the cross, and ponder the depths of its meaning, I am confronted with the truth about my own place in life. The only thing I ever worked for and earned was death. When I am confronted with the free nature of Gods forgiveness to me I find the grace to forgive my brothers, and to live in humility with them. And it is a great joy to live in peace and humility with your brothers and sisters!
I have used past tense in this note alot, as though these are things I used to struggle with but not anymore. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Each day I must remind myself of the true nature of my existence in this world. I live each day drinking in a grace that I have done nothing to deserve. When my soul grasps this amazing truth I am empowered to freely give the grace that was freely given to me. You can see this clearly in the following story from the gospel of Matthew. Jesus is telling this to the disciples before his death on the cross. The disciples do not yet understand that Jesus is going to die for their sins. They are expecting him to set up a geo-political kingdom on earth, and overthrow the Roman Empire. Instead, Jesus is pointing to the work of the Cross, which the disciples would not understand until after his resurrection.
Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.23"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.
31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
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