We are all, too familiar, with those Christians who walk around looking all pious, smug, and self righteous. I’ve often wondered “what is up with that?”. These are people who are supposed to be free, full of joy, and a light unto the world. How is it that they are so miserable?
Perhaps they are so self righteous that they don’t need to seek God’s face daily, to receive His mercies and grace anew, like I do, or they forgot that God desires mercy from us more than sacrifice [Matthew 12:7].
I think perhaps the real problem is that they try to cover up any cracks in their pots. Isaiah said, “But now, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand.”[Isaiah 64:8].
You see, we are all just earthen vessels, the irony here is that the more cracks you have in your pot, the more God’s glorious light can shine through you. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God”s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us” [II Corinthians 4:6-7].
You see, It is in our weaknesses that people see God’s power. Just ask Paul, who when he cried out to God about his imperfections, got this answer, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then came to this conclusion, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ”s power may rest on me. [II Corinthians 12:9].
Also it is in our humility that people can see God’s glory. Just ask Mary, who in Luke chapter 7:36-50 is referred to as a sinner, yet when she humbled herself Christ had this to say about her, “Why I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to who little is forgiven, the same loves little.”[Luke 7:47]. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may lift you up in due time.”[1 Peter 5:6]. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”[Matthew 23:12].
So don’t worry if you look all cracked up, Christ said, “You are the light of the world.”…”In the same way let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5:14&16].
This reminds me of Luke 20:17-18, where Jesus refered to himself as the cornerstone, on which we would be broken, or crushed. I had no idea what Jesus meant until I read some commentary on the verse.
The commentary read: … God offers a choice “brokennesses.” Those who cast themselves on Jesus, submitting their wills and all that they are to Him, will be broken by Him of arrogance, hard-heartedness, and self-centeredness. It is not a pleasent process, but an absolutely necessary one. For those who do not submit to Him, He will ultimately “fall on them,” an experience that can only be described as “crushing.” The choice is yours: broken before Him, or crushed by Him.