Today on Martin Luther King, Jr. day, I remember a very great man….and want to talk about something much greater than racial equality. Something deeper….humility.
“I have come that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”
“If you ask for anything in my Name, I will do it.”
These are amazing promises of MLK’s God, printed in the pages of the Bible. This year, I have set my heart to pursuing them. But they’re tricky…they don’t mean what we tend to think they do.
These promises are meant to lure us into the pursuit of Jesus-centered thoughts, activities, and daily living with Him at the helm. Unfortunately, we often get discouraged & apathetic, don’t we? Have you ever wondered why being close to Jesus doesn’t always lead to the blessings we seek? Have you ever prayed for someone to be released from addiction or illness and it didn’t work?
Have you wondered what Jesus’ definition is for…
…abundance?
…they?
…anything?
Was Jesus prone to wishful thinking and the stretching of truth, or is it possible that we misunderstand His values? As the Gospel of Jesus and His people multiplies rapidly in various places of today’s world, the modern American church continues to collapse into distraction, disillusionment, and disintegration.
Disintegration: dis·in·te·gra·tion (disˌin(t)əˈɡrāSH(ə)n/)
noun
- the process of losing cohesion or strength. i.e. “the twin problems of economic failure and social disintegration”
- the process of coming to pieces. i.e. “the disintegration of infected cells”
Jesus calls us to FOLLOW HIM, yet we often seem to spend time & energy & resources trying desperately to get HIM TO FOLLOW US! The wonder & beauty of being “In Christ” does not come from faithful church attendance or saying “In Jesus Name” after our prayers; but by living our days, and conducting each area of our lives as if our daily conduct was an act of intimate worship and the world were His sanctuary. Humility is the understanding and determination that my life is about God’s Kingdom rather than mine. When we live by this, things like equality are the natural by-product. But it’s a total 180 from the values of our world.
It is not God’s desire or purpose for us to be happy. This is one of the great lies of the ancient serpent who continues to deceive us in the most basic & primal places of our souls. All of us go through life with the tendency to chase after the things we believe will make us happy. Our entire society is based upon this pursuit. The problem is that it doesn’t work…in fact, it only prolongs our slavery to desire and erects roadblocks in front of the only source of true satisfaction.
So what is Jesus’ desire & purpose for us, especially as it is connected to the abundant and miraculous life He promises? Humility, not advantage. Joy, not happiness. Peace, not fulfillment.
“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:25-26)
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it…Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:12-14, 23-27)
He says to us…
…“Do you trust me?”
…“What are you willing to sacrifice for me?”
God’s promises are true! He is indelibly faithful, and does not change like the shifting shadows of this world! Let us dispense with the rancorous, cancerous mythologies that surround us and deliver empty promises. Let us love God thankfully, serve others joyfully, give generously, party soberly, and pursue His Kingdom in our lives passionately.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
