Others First
It is nearly midnight and I should be asleep. But my mind is not at rest because my heart is burdened.
Jesus made a significant request to His Father in the garden the night He was betrayed.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that they may be one, Father, Just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21
Humility amongst believers fulfills Jesus’ prayer, but pride and arrogance rejects it.
Pride is an evil cancer that rots the bones and poisons the heart. Arrogance divides the people of God by devouring their unity with gluttonous fury. Casting judgment, score keeping, and finger pointing are contented bedfellows with pride and arrogance. Where these abide, God’s glory does not.
An atmosphere of humility, generosity, and patience fosters unity, efficiency, productivity, and joy. Where these abide, God’s glory radiates. The fruit of true humility has its roots deep in the soil of understanding and embracing (even celebrating) who we are and who we are not. Humility looks to find solutions rather than fault. It seeks to give credit rather than to get it. Conversely, pride looks to find fault and seeks to gain credit.
There was a man who embodied humility and reflected the light of God. The Bible portrays him as a man of passion. He was bold, aggressive, blunt, and even combative. Yet, he was humble and gracious. His name is John.
John the Baptist acquired many followers. He spoke truth with passion and clarity. Many tried to convince him that he was the Messiah. They attempted to put him on a throne that was not his to claim. But John would not allow it. He firmly assured his followers that he was unworthy to untie the sandals of the One who would come after him. He understood and embraced who he was and who he was not. It would have been easy for his ego to succumb to the praise of man and accept glory that did not belong to him. However, when Jesus came near, John was quick to identify Him and instruct all to follow Him. The once relevant and needed man was left standing alone. He accepted and fulfilled his role with grace and humility.
Every time an issue faces the people of God a choice is made. We choose if we will use this moment as a means to fulfill the prayer of Jesus in the garden or work against it. The issue of our origins and the interpretation of Genesis is one of these issues facing the church today. It is a deeply significant discussion which places the authority and truth of God’s word and character at the forefront. Satan asked Adam and Eve a question that challenged the credibility of God’s word and character. He said, “Did God really say…?” Satan is imposing the same question to the church today. “Did God really say He created it in 6 days?” “Did God really say there was a global flood?” He continues to attempt to put God’s word on trial. We must respond. We must engage the question. We must be prepared.
Peter calls us out in 1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope you. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
The foundation of our hope is in the lordship of Christ and the truth of God’s word. If Christ is set apart in our hearts as Lord, then His word is the final authority. If we allow anything else to speak with greater authority, then Christ is not Lord. Genesis 1-11 is the foundation of all of God’s word and must be included in the reason for the hope that we have. Christ is Lord of our beginning, our now, and our eternity. Like John the baptist, we shall speak with passion and clarity. But we must do it with gentleness and respect, thereby fulfilling the prayer of Jesus. Like John we do not call attention to ourselves, but direct people to Christ and His word.
I am thrilled to confirm to you today that there are people deeply and thoroughly prepared in every discipline of science (geology, biology, astronomy, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and so forth) who boldly defend the character and word of God with the humility necessary to fulfill Jesus’ prayer.
“For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: 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.” Romans 12:3
Praiseallujiah!
Jon
