It is a rare person or group of people who does not long to be exceptional. Nations build monuments to their own glory. Richard Nixon made sure his signature and title were engraved on plaques affixed to the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 spacecrafts. I have had colleagues who demanded their students address them as doctor. Even religious groups (perhaps especially religious groups) want to bask in their specialness as God’s unique people. I am not convinced God is overly thrilled with our ego’s seeking ownership of His care and love.
One of the first songs I ever learned was, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight.” In Deuteronomy 10:17 we read, “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.”
What a great verse that is. God does not take bribes. One’s largess means little if anything to Him since He was the one responsible for your having some wealth. It is like giving your children money enabling them to buy you a Christmas present. We want so badly to be special. The bad news is we aren’t. The good news is that doesn’t matter because each of us is a son or daughter of the King of the universe with all the rights and privileges that come with that. I say this with much fake humility since down deep in my heart I know my heavenly home will be nicer than yours. (I think that sentence just disqualified me from getting any home.) But wait He is able to save to the guttermost. I’m still in.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 14, 2017
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