Protecting Me!

The speaker was blunt – “We are selfish. We want to be loved.” He talked of couples who get married pledging to love always ‘until death do us part,’ who are earnest in their declarations. Underlying those claims of love there are expectations built around self: “He will always be kind and make me feel special.” “She will be supportive and give me affection.” Unconsciously, those young lovers let self-love affect their concept of real love. That what sin does to us. It causes us to change the focus from God and others to Self. Even our best and most noble actions are generally tainted by some level of self-interest.

Our only hope of transformation is in the work of God. "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19, NIV) The Spirit moves on us, allowing us to glimpse the love of God, stirring faith. When we respond with obedience, we experience His love and it breaks us. For the first time we start to understand our basic selfishness. Then comes the challenge to let it go, to love radically and to trust God to take care of us. Our original nature, that part of us that is broken by sin’s Curse, is fearful. We know what God wants of us, but will we do it? Or, will Self be allowed to turn us inward? It comes down to answering the question, how big is God? If our God is small or remote or uncaring, we will most certainly need to be our own protector.

The ancient story of Abraham is about a man we call the ‘father of the faithful.’ Why? Because he believed God enough to let Him lead. He left all that was naturally safe, to own what was only a promise! When Abraham was focused on loving God, he was amazing! When he let his own instincts guide, he was a small man. This is no more clearly seen than the story of his abandonment of his wife to the Pharaoh’s harem to save his own skin! Read this little account for the lesson. "When Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of Sarai’s beauty. When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions." (Genesis 12:14-20, NLT)

Before you condemn Abe, think of those moments in your own faith walk when you have chosen the route of self-protection that seemed expedient over the route of obedience to which Love pointed you. Every one of us has moments when we let fear replace faith, when the priority choice is ‘protecting me!’ The only way to live a consistently godly life is to be enveloped in His love. This allows us to abandon ourselves to the pursuit of God, to trust Him explicitly, and to obey Him radically.

Here is a word from the Word. As you read it, ask yourself - ‘Whose child am I?’

"Brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:12-16, NIV)

________________

Abba, (Dad) I pray that Your Spirit will whisper of Your love
To my heart once again.
Many things conspire to cause me to fear for my safety.
Critics, circumstances I cannot understand, disappointments and missed expectations
Argue that You are far away, that I am forgotten; left to care for myself.
Tell me again, that You love me.
Show me the Cross and help me to hang onto the love of Christ Jesus
Which was shown there.
And, as You love me, I will love You with obedience.
Jesus, I thank you for grace and mercy. Amen.