Christian Pedestals

I got disappointed, sad, and then angry. At the secrets of those I encountered. The ones I placed on pedestals all seem to have fallen from their thrones.

Forgetting, that only One is worthy of a throne. That the sin was in me, idolising (Exodus 20:3-4).

I got disappointed, sad, and then angry. At myself, for falling short, losing my integrity.

I think I get it now.

GRACE.

Undeserved, unmerited favour.

For all have fallen short of the glory of God. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8-10). But we keep on trying, somehow hoping to buy our way into Heaven with our pretty words and good intentions, and perhaps some works.

The problem is, the moment you start seeing yourself as good and them as bad, you are worse off than they are (The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14)

I think I get it now.

GRACE

Undeserved, unmerited favour.

We’re completely hopeless without the blood of Christ. Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The one who knew no sin, who became sin for us, took the punishment of death by crucifixion, forsaken by God, and rose from the dead, so that we may live. To not be forsaken as we deserve, but have our names written in the book of life.

But what is that? To be alive? Just like everybody else, I too am capable of sin. Just the thought of that makes me wish I wasn’t here. I find myself, from time to time, begging God to come down and pick me like a flower, carry me home before I make another mistake. I am haunted by the spirit of death, but filled with the Spirit of Life! I end up dying to myself daily, and being resurrected by God Himself. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me.

And then, how can I judge? Point my finger? Throw someone with a rock, one from this bag I’ve been carrying around for years, filled with neutron stars. I only ever get triggered when I see something in someone, something that is or at some point in my life was also in me, something I despise. Therefore, my judgement is truly towards myself.

I need to forgive, for there has been times I remember pleading for forgiveness. Put the past behind and look ahead, like Paul (Philippians 3:13). For how can someone even come to believe that they might be good, if they’ve already be labelled bad?

I think I get it now.

GRACE.

Undeserved, unmerited favour.

No wonder God instructed us to love one another, including our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). He is love. It is not for them, it is for us. To be humbled, because we do not see our own sin. We do not see what the end of the road of bitterness carries. We do not see the darkness growing subtly within us when the sun slowly sets. For God is light and there is no darkness in Him, how then can we have darkness in us when we are one with the Holy Spirit?

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Father… I cannot comprehend how good you are. Your everlasting faithfulness, Your fearful holiness and ultimate authority, and yet You visit us in humility.

What is man that You are mindful of him?

That is the death of sin, the love of Christ. Not religion, trying to follow the rules and be a “good” person. No. It’s when you see the holiness of God, when His light shines so brightly it burns your mask to dust , and you’re completely naked. And you see yourself for who you truly are, realising that He saw you all along.

And yet, He loves you.

Perfectly.

Always and forever.

Covered with the blood of the lamb. For you are His, and He is yours.

I think I get it now.

GRACE.

Undeserved, unmerited favour.

And all that’s left to say is…

THANK YOU.