S69P4 – Truth at work: humbling

1 John 1:8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

One thing would serve to be his great spiritual stumbling block.  He was one of those people who thought the Bible offered some good moral and ethical lessons for us to learn.  He could find inspiration and encouragement in the scriptures, and he even would lead others there when they were feeling low.  His impression of God’s word was that it could help us in many different ways, but that was it.  To him, the good book was no different than the thousands of self-help books on the shelves.  His stumbling block was humility.  If he believed that the word was actually true, that would mean that he is imperfect and in need of salvation.  He could not bring himself to admit that he was not nearly as great as he thought himself to be, and that he was not all he needed.

Scripture tells us that the word of God is sharper than a sword.  It not only pierces the flesh but completely exposes that which lies within us. This is because the truth leaves nothing hidden.  Specifically, God’s truth brings all things to light.  There is no way for us to accept his word without being brought to humility. This is because the truth says that we are in need of it.  It says that we can do nothing on our own.  It says that we are eternally lost if we stand as our own foundations.  The truth forces us to see ourselves as we really are, and that normally will be much less than we would desire to be.  We certainly can be great, but that will not happen if we remain on our own.

If we want to be something, anything, we must put our trust in God. That is a tough truth to swallow for many people.  When we pride ourselves on independence and competition we tend to think that we have the ability to make a way in any circumstance if we just work hard enough or smart enough.  The truth tells us otherwise, and we cannot live well if we subscribe to both schools of thought.  God’s truth cannot complete its work unless we allow it to expose every place of darkness and imperfection within us.  Father, give us the humility to continually bow to You and open ourselves that we would let your truth shine in every dark place inside us.