As we prepare to observe Lent yet again, I found in “Fresh Faith” these words of Jim Cymbala (pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle).
“When I was growing up, I thought the greatest Christian must be the person who walks around with shoulders thrown back because of tremendous inner strength and power, quoting Scripture and letting everyone know he has arrived. I have since learned that the most mature believer is the one who is bent over, leaning most heavily on the Lord, and admitting his total inability to do anything without Christ. The greatest Christian is not the one who has achieved the most, but rather the one who has received the most. God’s grace, love, and mercy flow through him abundantly because he walks in total dependence.”
Wow! Kind of gives us a new perspective as we begin this Lenten season doesn’t it? Historically Lent was a time of preparation and instruction and reflection on the central truths of the redemption story. Let us never forget that we (you and I) were in need of redemption, thus we are the ones who have received the most…redemption is one thing we could never achieve on our own.
“When I was growing up, I thought the greatest Christian must be the person who walks around with shoulders thrown back because of tremendous inner strength and power, quoting Scripture and letting everyone know he has arrived. I have since learned that the most mature believer is the one who is bent over, leaning most heavily on the Lord, and admitting his total inability to do anything without Christ. The greatest Christian is not the one who has achieved the most, but rather the one who has received the most. God’s grace, love, and mercy flow through him abundantly because he walks in total dependence.”
Wow! Kind of gives us a new perspective as we begin this Lenten season doesn’t it? Historically Lent was a time of preparation and instruction and reflection on the central truths of the redemption story. Let us never forget that we (you and I) were in need of redemption, thus we are the ones who have received the most…redemption is one thing we could never achieve on our own.
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