Desperate for Grace

Yesterday, I was sitting in a NJ District meeting for pastors, talking about being “above reproach.”  This word in Greek carries a meaning of being blameless or above criticism in the sense of not being able to be accused of any wrongdoing by anyone. To simplify it... it means we miss the mark, failure to achieve the desired goal or outcome.  Perhaps the translation that captures best the etymology of the word is “unassailable,” with means “not capable of being seized successfully.”  This word is used in the Bible (cf. 1 Timothy 3) to teach that the life and behaviors of church leaders [pastors] are to have strong expectations.  As preachers, we are to be held to a higher moral standard. Integrity of life and behavior are, of course, critical for all Christians. But this is especially necessary of those in the pastoral office.  Every aspect of our lives is to model the doctrine we proclaim. We must walk the talk. Practice what we preach. Lead by example. Live what we believe. Pastors—in what we preach/teach and in how we live—cannot become a stumbling block to those inside or outside the church. 

No pressure.
Yikes!  
 
Of course, no pastor is perfect. Not even me. I know it’s hard to believe. You’re undoubtedly shocked by this.  But alas, it is true. Even I have more than my share of warts and flaws. The Apostle Paul may have already coined the moniker of being the “chief of sinners,” but I am certainly not too far behind.  That’s the reality of humankind. And it is the reality of every person who serves as pastor or leader in the church.  Not one of us is perfect. No matter the façade we front or the persona we polish, we are each deeply flawed. No amount of sugar-coating or cover-up can hind that reality. Scripture is painfully clear on this. Most bluntly in Romans 3:23:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Deep down, and with a quick glance in the mirror, we know this to be true. We have our shortcomings. We cave to our temptations. We have hurt others, intentionally or not. Sinners.  Each and every one of us. No exceptions. We have our many sins—in thought, word, and deeds.
 
This is why we continue to celebrate the long-anticipated, quickly-gone holiday of Christmas. We need Jesus. We need His forgiveness. We are desperate for grace. The festive decorations may be coming down, but the profound truth of this message still echoes—“She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)  No matter how far removed we are from December 25th, we rejoice in the timeless Christmas Gospel.  That the God of the universe, the Creator of the world, humbled Himself to step down from the heavens and redeem all those entrapped in sin and overwhelmed by evil.  Flawed though we are, our God continues to dwell with us, live within us, and transforms our hearts and minds (cf. Rom. 12:2).  The gift of Jesus saves us from our sins. We are only “above approach” when we stand behind our Savior, when we allow Him to cleanse us from our sins (cf. 1 John 1:7).
 
Happy New Year!  
 

• “The most important resolution you can make as another year approaches is this: to open your heart and life to Jesus Christ, and commit your life to Him. Don’t waste your time on resolutions that don’t ultimately matter; resolve instead to live for Christ.” (Billy Graham)

 

• “I wish, my brothers and sisters, that during this new year you may live nearer to Christ than you have ever done before. Depend upon it, it is when we think much of Christ that we think little of ourselves, little of our troubles, and little of the doubts and fears that surround us.” (Charles Spurgeon)

 

• “Of all persons the Christian should be best prepared for whatever the New Year brings. He has dealt with life at its source. In Christ he has disposed of a thousand enemies that other men must face alone and unprepared. He can face his tomorrow cheerful and unafraid because yesterday he turned his feet into the ways of peace and today, he lives in God. The man who has made God his dwelling place will always have a safe habitation.” (A.W. Tozer)