The other day I was watching old highlights of Michael Jordan and was amazed anew by his showmanship. Later I began to think about how our society is often guilty of idolatry when praising professional athletes. How many times have we looked at an athlete and directed praise toward the God that gifted that individual?
In many ways we fail to give credit where credit is due. Many struggle with this mentality in Christian service. Believers must avoid receiving praise when being used by God. Although God uses His people for redemptive purposes, praise is to be directed toward Him.
This past Sunday I was teaching the children that although Moses was appointed to lead God's people out of Egypt; it was God who brought deliverance. When the Jewish people began to complain about Moses' leadership because they were afraid of being destroyed by the pursuing Egyptian army, Moses assures them, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:13-14) When commenting on this passage, R.C. Sproul states, "At the crucial point of Israel's deliverance they must see that their salvation is entirely God's work. His judgments on Egypt, His hardening of Pharaoh's heart, His leading Israel to this hopeless impasse, pinned between Pharaoh's chariots and the sea-all prepare for the climactic display of His saving power. The Lord will fight for them; they need only be still. He will gain the glory."
This truth should encourage believers. Although God has chosen to use us to communicate His message of forgiveness and redemption, He is the one who changes hearts and lives.
In many ways we fail to give credit where credit is due. Many struggle with this mentality in Christian service. Believers must avoid receiving praise when being used by God. Although God uses His people for redemptive purposes, praise is to be directed toward Him.
This past Sunday I was teaching the children that although Moses was appointed to lead God's people out of Egypt; it was God who brought deliverance. When the Jewish people began to complain about Moses' leadership because they were afraid of being destroyed by the pursuing Egyptian army, Moses assures them, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:13-14) When commenting on this passage, R.C. Sproul states, "At the crucial point of Israel's deliverance they must see that their salvation is entirely God's work. His judgments on Egypt, His hardening of Pharaoh's heart, His leading Israel to this hopeless impasse, pinned between Pharaoh's chariots and the sea-all prepare for the climactic display of His saving power. The Lord will fight for them; they need only be still. He will gain the glory."
This truth should encourage believers. Although God has chosen to use us to communicate His message of forgiveness and redemption, He is the one who changes hearts and lives.
