In the sports world it has happened more than once that an athlete who has viewed himself as indispensable to his team has refused to sign a contract and held out for more money. To his shock he is let go and his team goes on to great success without him. It turns out that rather than being essential, the player is really expendable.
Paul writes: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Rom. 12:3). By nature, we too want to believe that we are somehow more important, essential, and worthier than others. It’s faulty thinking in general, but especially dangerous in spiritual matters. In God’s eyes there is no difference. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). None of us has anything to boast about before the holy God. All of us are guilty of breaking every one of the Ten Commandments. All our arguments for why we are better than someone else fall flat before the Lord who knows every thought of the heart and every word before we even speak it. We cannot earn God’s favor. He doesn’t need anything from us. From the standpoint of necessity, we are completely expendable. There is no logical, practical reason for God to notice or care about any of us.
But the wonderful, thrilling, surprising truth is that He does care! He doesn’t just love people in general, He loves you so much that Jesus had you in mind when He came to earth and made His way to Jerusalem and the death of the cross. Everyone, no matter how unnoticed by others, no matter how bad in the eyes of people, is precious and indispensable to the God of love.
Today, may we take Paul’s warning to heart and not let blind pride give us an inflated view of ourselves. Instead, let’s live in awe of God’s love in Christ which has made us His children and privileged heirs of eternal life. Imagine, we are essential to the one true God—not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who He is and what Jesus has done for each one of us.
Yours in His service,
Pastor
Services tomorrow are at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.
Sunday school is at 9:30 and Bible class at 9:45 a.m.
The public school confirmation class meets at 12:15 p.m.
