“God created the world and everything in it. He had the first word, and He’ll have the last. Yet, in our pride we consider the Bible outdated and irrelevant to modern life, and ultimately, we pretend to know better.”- Bob Merritt
“Or, do you think Scripture says without reason that [God] jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us. But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”- James 4:5-6 (NIV)
As Bob Merritt concludes Chapter 3 of Done With That, he cites C. J. Mahaney’s comments on James 4:6. In Mahaney’s book Humility, he talks about the word opposes. As an active, present-tense verb, opposes reflects God’s opposition to pride as an immediate, constant activity. Sooner or later, then, the proud face discipline.
Therefore, Pastor Merritt wonders, if everything around you is falling apart or hanging by a thread, might the cause center on a habitual violation of God’s principles? As a result, does this block you from the great life you could possess? Certainly, your struggles might have nothing to do with personal sin. Yet, it’s essential to pause and consider that thought.
Finally, Bob describes four immediate outcomes of Adam and Eve’s pride:
- Their eyes were immediately opened. Consequently, for the first time ever, Adam and Eve felt vulnerable, exposed, and ashamed.
- They hid from God. Because sin always causes us to hide from God, we feel the need to conceal something. In addition, the author compares trying to conceal something to running a race with shackles around your ankles. The energy and stress that takes keeps you from running freely.
- Fear. Always a by-product of sin.
- Blaming. However, blaming solves nothing. Instead of getting better, you remain stuck and helpless.
So, what does God know?? He knows that sin leads to death. Thus, the old life = a dead life.
Today’s question: What enables you to cede the first word and the last word to God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the October Short Meditation: “A Christian without prayer = alive without breathing”
