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Faith Leader Q&A Interview

He Gives Grace to the Humble

Published on Friday, March 14, 2014 | 3:04 pm
 
Pastor Chuck Ryor, Prism Church

“In our society, strength (or, at least imagined strength) is applauded; and weakness is thought of as a defect. God doesn’t allow us to stay with the idea that we are strong. Oh, we may have that idea, but the Lord is going to disabuse us one way or another.” – J.I. Packer, “Weakness is the Way”

Friday’s Prayer: Ask God for gospel grace to honestly tell your story to others.

The older I get, the less impressed I am with bravado in Christian leaders. It contradicts that Scriptures at so many levels it is difficult for me to understand why I ever thought it was a characteristic Christians should have. Whether it is the T.V. preacher with swagger or the tough-talking theological type, the model of strong Christian that I was exposed to as a young, enthusiastic Christian was just such a figure.

Jesus has a different plan for us. It’s called humility. It’s called brokenness before Him and others.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another.” – Ephesians 4:2

I can’t wait to read the great J.I. Packer’s latest book, “Weakness is the Way.” If you will watch the YouTube trailer for it, you, too, will find yourself saying, “I want to hear what this guy has to say.” Packer references Paul’s struggle with pride found in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Paul says with clarity that to keep him from becoming conceited, God allowed a struggle to continue in Paul’s life – one that would require Him to daily see God’s grace to cope. God’s power could and would only be demonstrated and appropriated in Paul’s life when he was was weak. Then God could be strong.

The fourth component of Prism’s “Strategy” to reach others is to yield…to obey God.

P.R.A.Y. – Position ourselves to befriend others, Request God’s help opening doors, Avail ourselves to our friends, and Yield to God’s plan to speak for Him.

Yielding to God’s plan for many of us is simply a willingness to allow others to see us as weak. It is precisely at the moment when we humble ourselves that Jesus gets to show up and be the hero.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

Have a great weekend!

Chuck Ryor

Prism Church, P.O. Box 70677, Pasadena, (626) 765-9410 or visit www.prismchurch.com.

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