4.19.26 ~ Builder vs. Bystander, Part 1

Welcome to the 15th day of counting the Omer. Over the past two weeks, we have taken a completely different journey than in past years. The first week of counting the Omer, I shared with you expansive thoughts on the topic of grace (*chen*). Hopefully, with hindsight, those thoughts did not diminish what Christ did for us on the cross, but rather enhanced our understanding of how grace actually works in the life of a believer—an area in which we should be growing (2 Pet. 3:18).


Last week, with our focus on the Passover Lamb—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)—we talked about salvation. We discussed that salvation is not just about the decision I made so many years ago (Eph. 2:8–9), but it is an ongoing process centered in a life that lives by faith—from faith to faith, the just shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17; Hab. 2:4).


This morning, and this week, as we continue to ascend toward the 50th day of Pentecost, I want to point out the obvious (since I am Mr. Obvious). But when you first consider it, it may seem completely out of whack with our customary theology. However, I am hoping that by the end of the week—and even by the end of this morning's study—you will reconsider your thoughts in order to help you grow closer to the One who gave His life for you.


After coming back from a three-day conference in Lansing, Michigan, at Great Lakes Christian College—three amazing days—I went to bed last night thinking long and hard about the most sensitive way to introduce this topic. And I came up with this line: I want God to be proud of my life. I do. I actually work toward that. And I know how that sounds to some people. Like, I am on a very, very bad road. Like, I am trying to earn something that is supposed to be free. Like, I have missed the whole point of grace. Like that is exactly what we are supposed to *not* do—to strive.


But before anyone reaches for Romans chapter 4 on faith alone and not works, I will ask you something simple: Is there anything wrong with striving to impress God (Matt. 25:21, 23)? Is there anything wrong with striving to please God (Heb. 11:6)? Is there anything wrong with trying to make God proud of you? It is strong language to use the word "impress" or for God to be proud of you. I thought about it all throughout the night. It makes people feel weird. But I ask you: do you try—if your parents are living, if you are young or old, no matter the age—do you try to make your parents proud? Do you want them to look at your life and feel something? Admiration? Respect for the person you have become? Do you work to earn your spouse's appreciation even though they love you? When you do something thoughtful, something sacrificial, something that costs something, are you not hoping that they notice it? Are you not hoping to deepen something between you? When your kids are watching you, do you want them to be impressed by you? Do you want them to be proud of you? Do you want them to admire who you are? Do you want them to feel that way about you? Do you work at being the kind of person that your children can look up to? No, we are not just talking about parents. It goes the other way too—from parents to children.


Here is the thing: of course you do! I hope so. I hope you do. That is not manipulative. That is not even tit for tat. That is how relationships work. And here is the thing: it *works*. It actually works. When you serve people consistently, when you are generous, when you show up, when you listen, when you sacrifice, when you love in invisible, tangible ways, people take notice of these things and respond to these things. And the relationship tightens, deepens, trust builds, and love grows.


Why have we bought into the idea in any way that God is less relational than our own families? Why would we assume that God—who made us for relationships, who calls Himself our Father, who describes Himself as a husband to Israel—why would we assume that He is somehow unmoved by our efforts to please Him or turned off by works (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8, 14)?


As you head into this 15th day of counting the Omer, may we all strive to make Him proud and one day hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" :-)


Shalom,  

Alan

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