telling God what He cannot do‏: an awesome idea (for a fool)

I wonder how many times I read what Oswald Chambers said here without knowing that he was talking about me specifically. I was convinced that the limitations I placed on God were an example of my humility. They weren’t and I wasn’t. It is not good to tell God what He cannot do.

 

By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain . . . —1 Corinthians 15:10

 

The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men.You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, “Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint.” But to say that before God means, “No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible.”That may sound wonderfully humble to others, but before God it is an attitude of defiance.

 

Conversely, the things that sound humble before God may sound exactly the opposite to people. To say, “Thank God, I know I am saved and sanctified,” is in God’s eyes the purest expression of humility. It means you have so completely surrendered yourself to God that you know He is true. Never worry about whether what you say sounds humble before others or not. But always be humble before God, and allow Him to be your all in all.

 

I resisted God’s gift for a long time because I felt I was not worthy to receive it.

 

I was right.

 

I was not worthy to receive it.

 

That is why He had to die.

That is why He wants me to embrace it by faith.

 

I wasted so many years wondering how God could love someone like me thinking that it was myself who I was doubting.

 

The truth is: I knew myself very well. I was not in ignorance as to my faults. I was arrogant in my telling God these faults were too much for Him to reconcile. I resisted His grace by my self-absorption. I was so interested in my own nature and falleness that I failed to focus on His glory and sufficiency.

 

He has been good to reveal to me that I am not worthy.

He has been better to provide for me worth in the person and work of Christ.

 

My problem previously was that I acknowledged that I fell short, but placed hope in falling less short.

 

My hope now is knowing that I fall flat, but knowing that He lifts up the devastated.

 

He does what only He can do.

He provides what only He can give.

And that is my boast,