SHADE

It’s hot! The sun is shining. You are soaked with perspiration. If only you could find shade. You turn around and see a shadow on the ground. You move to get beneath it, but regardless of what you do, you are unable to position yourself under this shadow and find relief from the heat of the sun. Why? No one can find comfort in the shade of his own shadow.

Each of us can find it easy to take comfort in our self-righteousness. More than comfort we are easily given to pride. We see the evil that is so apparent in others around us. We have never been guilty of such grievous transgressions. We are a good person. We know what is right and wrong and would never be found in certain places. Yes we are righteous.

Have you notice how easy it is to take the next step? Because we are such a good person and do everything God requires of us, we deserve the blessing and favor of God. We’ve earned it. How could God ever withhold answered prayer from us?

We’re not the first to deal with such thoughts (or dare I say doctrines of devils). Paul had to confront self-righteousness and earning our salvation through what we do. What goes around comes around; maybe with a new label. For Paul and the churches of Galatia it was obedience to the law of circumcision. For us it might be any number of self-imposed restrictions to appear righteous.

• I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
  Galatians 2:21 NIV

Paul makes it clear. At no time can we set aside God’s grace. Even as the best of Christians I can do nothing to earn anything that God might give to me. I deserve a death sentence, but God chose to let Jesus die in my place. Nevertheless it is so easy for me to fall into a trap of self-righteousness. I become the ‘older brother’ who became angry at his father when the prodigal son returned home. I’ve been a good son (or daughter) and worked hard; I’ve done nothing to embarrass the family or cause the father pain. How easily I forget the father’s love for me and accuse him of neglecting me.

I for one am glad I don’t have to find shade under my own shadow. Jesus is the rock that is higher than I (see Psalm 61:2). In Him alone can I find shade and healing for my sin-sick heart. It is by grace that I am saved. What do you think?