Reckoning Truth
Galatians 4:12–20
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Being Good And Doing Good, Rather Than Feeling Good
Our receptivity to truths about ourselves that underscore our weaknesses may well be a reflection of our blessedness. When the circumstances serve us well, such as when our good works are being noticed and affirmed by others, it is likely that we are much more open to the truths about ourselves. In good spirits, we receive more easily.
However, when those same works are no longer affirmed, or upon hearing that we haven’t exactly done what is right, the fragile pride of the heart steps in and shields itself from the criticism of the truth-bearer. It is not difficult to make an enemy out of one who bears truth — especially truth that deem us unrighteous before the Lord.
It is downright impossible to receive truth from God when feeling good is the priority of our hearts.
Inevitably, to come before a perfect and holy God feeling good about ourselves speaks of an acute lack of awareness of our own estate: before God, we are all depraved — we are beggarly impoverished in spirit and morally bankrupt before the Most High. It is said that “God’s truth comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” In both measures, there is blessing to be found: lest we despair, God comes alongside us when we are afflicted to mourn with us and lift us up; lest we are too pleased with ourselves, God comes to humble us in hopes of inclining our ear to His wisdom and correction.
May the desire for blessedness find us on the right side of listening to His truth — by receiving it humbly, turning away from our ways and to direct our eyes towards His way.
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
Psalm 95:7–8
Prayer
Dearest Father in Heaven,
Help my unbelief, O Lord. For I have been hard in my hearing and dull in my understanding — my lack of blessedness testifies to the hardness of my heart. Receive my cry, O God, as I incline my ear to Your wisdom and Your comfort. You alone are my refuge; in You do I seek salvation, in You alone do I seek my shelter. See my affliction, O God, and rescue me from the tendrils of evil within me.
May the freedom already won by Christ and is in me set me free to worship You in obedience each day. You humble me because of Your great love, and I am grateful for Your loving hand, Father. For the sake of Christ, Amen.