- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,081
Flawed but Faithful
David Jeremiah
But without faith it is impossible to please Him...
Hebrews 11:6
[TABLE="class: box1"]
[TR]
[TD]Recommended Reading
Genesis 12:1-3
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Maybe you've experienced the "Why can't you be like your brother or sister?" syndrome. Comparing is man's way of trying to motivate and impress -- not God's.
Throughout Scripture we find flawed people whom God chose to use in a glorious way. Men and women who struggled with weaknesses and imperfections, yet held onto their faith. They inspire us to ask God, "What can You do with me?" Understand the difference? God's way of motivating doesn't compare us to "perfect" people who intimidate us. He uses the lives of struggling, selfish, sinful people to demonstrate what He can do when we choose to trust Him.
Take the life of Abraham. He lied sometimes and often took matters into his own hands when he felt God was taking too long. Yet God chose to make Abraham the "father of many nations"! Why? Because even amidst all his flaws, Abraham had a deep, unwavering faith.
If you're trying to impress God by self-promoting and comparing yourself to others, put away that effort. Come to Him with the faith and candor of a child. He'll respond and work wonders in your life.
Faith as [Jesus] characterized it is nothing less than a complete exchange of all that we are for all that He is.
John MacArthur
Read-thru-the-Bible
Jeremiah 30:1 -- 32:44
