Day of Praise

We, 03/19/14, "Day of Praise"

Matthew 7:15 - [Jesus said,] "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

WD-40. Just a squirt of that lubricating spray was all it took to loosen up the tumblers and make the lock of my firesafe open right up. That's what professional locksmith Shane Stamps told me for free, thanks to the referral of builder Bill Kinnebrew. Prior to that, one guy wanted $50 just to look at it, and another guy wanted $95 with a guarantee that the lock would be broken after he got done with it. How's that for a guarantee?

The point in all this is that things aren't always as they seem. I was sure the lock was broken; Shane wisely and graciously believed it was only stuck. Friends, there's someone out there with wisdom and grace who's willing to help us see clearly. And there are others who are eager to take advantage for their own gain.

When Jesus says,"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves," he's not only warning us about those who would take advantage of us in our weakness and difficulties, but, as the one who's speaking, Jesus is also implicitly encouraging us to come to him in our weakness and difficulty. Jesus ultimately, like Shane Stamps with my firesafe, will not take advantage of us for his own gain. Jesus ultimately, like Shane Stamps with my firesafe, will serve our situation and strengthen us with wisdom and grace.

Praise God for people like locksmith Shane Stamps in the world. And praise God for Jesus Christ. Indeed!

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson