4 May 2010 (Shleshi/Bikkurim)
Day #50, 5934 AM
The Stumbling Block
Humanity's Revolt Against Grace
"For when we were still without strength, in due time Messiah died for the ungodly" (Rom.5:6, NKJV).
Most people jump at the opportunity of a free gift. Advertisers know this which is why they offer them all the time. So why is the undeserved loving kindness - the free grace - of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) so universally scorned and rejected? It is because it cuts deep into people's pride. We don't like to be told that we need anything else but our own resources. We like to believe that we can manage on our own and that if there is a God that we can prove it to Him by doing things 'for' Him in our own strength and power. We would like to say:
"This is what I have done for the Kingdom of Heaven, I have therefore earned my ticket there. Look at me!"
Pride adopts the stance:
"I can save myself by my fasting, good works, or other meritorious acts. Therefore I will demonstrate my goodness."
But the message of the Gospel is the exact opposite: There is simply nothing we can do to save ourselves at all! We must let Yahweh save us - or remain lost. Simple as that.
Helen Woodhouse writes:
"We think we must climb to a certain height of goodness before we can reach God, but He doesn't say, 'at the end of the road you may find Me'; rather, 'I am the Way, I am the road under your feet, and road that begins just as low down as you happen to be.'"
If we are in a hole, then the Way begins in a hole. The moment we give up our pride and turn our face to Yahweh, confessing that we can do nothing to save ourselves, that moment we put ourselves in the position where we can be saved. The next step is simply to call out to the Master and ask Him to save us. And if you have never done so before, then I urge you to do so today!
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