Repent, because a functional savior wont save...

I was in our membership class today and lopes gave a quote that really got me thinking...

"You will always give money effortlessly to that which is your god." -Tim Keller

I realized that I really want people to like me. I spend money truly effortlessly on other people all the time and I think that this is because of a couple of different factors: my gifts, my insecurities, and my view of God. Let me explain.

I think that all of us will see God a little differently because of how we are wired. Some of us will struggle with things more than others, some of us are more gifted at some things than others are, and all of this leads to what we naturally run to God for, and where we will most abhorrently sin.

For myself I know that God has gifted me with discernment and knowledge so that I can help others best glorify Him (probably why I'm called to the Chaplaincy). Now this is all well and good until I realized that with those same gifts I end up secretly (often without knowing it myself) wanting to be my own version of Dr. Phil, glorifying myself with the knowledge and humor and patience that God has so graciously given to me. My gifts I keep as my own. So I run to God as my own savior, advocate, and redeemer; but, then dont trust that HE is moving in others lives through me for His glory, not by me for mine.

I think that our sins and our gifts are strangely connected. We need to watch how we are using the gifts that God gives us and constantly giving the glory to God. I truly believe that the more we pray for God to reveal Himself to us, and the truths of our own hearts to us, it will lead us to more authentic repentance and a true stronghold of the Kingdom in our own lives and within the communities around us. It is analyzing our strengths, weaknesses and view of God within the biblical context of the gospel that will allow the truth of the cross and the Glory of Christ to come most abundantly into the world.

This is the essence of repentance and Gospel renewal. That Christ would be glorified.