Ever ask yourself that question? Then have someone retort, "why not??". Hmmm. One part of this question I would like to settle first and foremost, we need to get rid of that "D" word. People say they dont deserve this (fill in the blank) from God. Understand first that when people say that they are caught up in "performance theology" and/or comparing themselves with others. Really, what all of us deserve is DEATH. It was by God's wonderful and sovereign Grace we have been saved through faith in Him. So let's keep in mind that we are working out of a grave-like basis every breath we take. Sort of kills the complaints, doesnt it?
Back in '99 the Lord put me in a most adventurous part-time job to supplement my church salary. I was a shuttle van driver hired by Sentek out of Pontiac, Michigan. Each shift I would drive people to and from their factory jobs, most of them ex-cons and addicts in recovery. One day I had a van load of complainers on their way to the job. Most of them were female and man, could they complain. When the complaining reached a crescendo I looked in the van mirror and shouted, "I dont care how bad life gets here on this earth because I have Heaven coming!!". The complaining turned to shouts of joy and "amens" louder than any church service. I learned something that day. The Apostle Paul said, "However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1Cor2:9.
Amazing what can happen when scripture has simple application in everyday, moment by moment life.
I recently watched a DVD of Graham Cooke, a prophet to the body. He was commenting on the "D" word from another perspective, people who don't believe they deserve anything good from the Lord becuase they don't measure up (the opposite end of performance based relationship to God.) He said, it's not about what WE deserve, but that JESUS DESERVES US because He paid the price for the relationship with us - so we are witholding what HE deserves! From whatever way you look at it, it's not about us and ALL ABOUT HIM. Graham went on to say, "Get over your bad self!" Something I could somehow hear you saying Ryp!!! It feels really good to get over my SELF, good or bad, and just BE in relationship with Him. It's the ultimate Nestea plunge. Ahhhhhhhhh ......
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