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No servant is greater than his master. A servant is one who toils and strives to make his master look good. His labor contributes to the success and overall well being of the same. His thoughts are filled with wondering what can be done to improve the life of his master. The heart’s motive is to make his master shine without attempting to bring attention to himself. Absent are the thoughts of how one’s labor can benefit himself and elevate his own standing.
Do so and the word “passion” will return to how others describe you. In past newsletters you’ve heard Lance talk about passion… as the glue that holds dreams together. A true servant has passion, a goal outlined to make his “chief” or his “unit” a success and the willingness to pursue that goal to whatever degree necessary. A dedication to the point where his life is wrapped up in the success of others before himself…a glue holding dreams together.
Why Did Jesus Become Human?
by Calvin Landrus / Solid Rock Climbers For Christ
Have you ever tried to explain the climbing experience to a non-climber? It’s amazing how their eyes glaze over or they change the subject at the very moment that we are re-living the crux. Their ability to understand…to identify…to sympathize is non-existent because they haven’t clung to a hand hold for all they are worth.
Numerous passages throughout the New Testament refer to the both the deity of Christ and His humanity. This is known as the incarnation. How could Jesus be both God and man at the same time? Commentary by Dan Vander Lugt of the Radio Bible Class explains that, “It’s undeniable that the incarnation involves mystery beyond human understanding. How could the eternal, infinite God, Creator of all things, become a finite being with human limitations and weaknesses? While we cannot understand it, the Bible clearly asks us to believe it. Scripture declares that Jesus, the Messiah, is both truly God and truly man.”
So then, why did He become truly human? This past year, I have been reading and re-reading the book of Hebrews. The author writes to Jewish converts to establish the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the mediator of God’s grace to a sinful and separated mankind.
In one of the author’s several summaries, he states, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
One of the reasons Jesus became human is so we would know He understands the human condition. His eyes don’t glaze over…He doesn’t change the subject when we are facing temptation. The next verse in Hebrews says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” He is there for us.
When we are tempted, what is our natural tendency? To step away from God in our spirit. The encouragement here is to “press close.” If we do, the preserving power of the Holy Spirit which indwells us will take over and we will overcome the temptation.
Now, I don’t believe we ever reach the point of perfection where we live above every temptation – only Christ achieved that – but the encouragement is still the same…”press close!”
Pastor Jim McClarty summarizes this well; “The best thing we can do when we slip, when we err, when we sin, is to press close. Come boldly (quickly, confidently) to the throne of grace. It honors God when we approach Him that way. It’s what He prefers, because it’s what His Son has accomplished. We are to have no fear of judgment. We are safest wrapped in the arms of the one who bought us and redeemed us. He paid a heavy price to get us, He’s not going to suddenly turn His back when His children run to him believing, counting on, depending on Him to be gracious. It honors His promises to us.”
Jesus became human so we could have the best relationship possible with God. Thank Him for that as we celebrate Christmas this week and call on Him the next time you find yourself in temptation or the resulting mess of sin!
Merry Christmas ya’ll from Rescue Response Gear
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