Perhaps one of the greatest struggles most of us have, is against our status as creature before the creator. I mean just who does He think He is, that He feels He has the right to tell me what to do, and then judge me for not doing it? Have you ever met someone who feels the world revolves around them, and acts accordingly? We call that arrogance! Do you ever feel God expects too much?
One of the reasons that it is important to know that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Isaiah 9:6), is that we then know it was God Himself who humbled Himself to this extent: He became obedient to every command of the Father, eventually even submitting to an unjust and unbelievably painful death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). And He did it, because He believed it was God's will, and He did it for love knowing that this obedient sacrifice would make it possible for mankind to be reconciled with the Father (Luke 22:42; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:19). So then God is far from arrogant, and He does not expect from us anything that He Himself was not willing to do, only more so!
The Stanford marshmallow experiment is interesting. Children were given the choice of one marshmallow to eat immediately, or two ten minuets later. But they had to wait with the other in full view. Those who managed to wait, only did so with great difficulty. How like children we are, in that we want what we want, and we want it now! Delayed gratification (sacrifice) even for something better, is a stretch in our culture. And God and His rules just get in the way. Never mind that His rules, like the loving Father He is, are there to protect and to provide (see 22 January).
Scripture makes is clear that we come into the world knowing God instinctively, but that knowledge gets twisted, warped and suppressed by our own desires, by false views and representations of Him, by religion etc. (Romans 1:18-20). According to verse 21, the slippery slope begins when we neither glorify Him nor are thankful. In particular resentment, bitterness, ingratitude and all negativity draws us away from relationship, away from knowing Him.
The way some people act you wouldn't know the Bible does not condemn anger in and of itself. People, especially Christians even show displeasure towards a raised voice. So there is a widespread tendency to suppress anger and to deny it. But dealing with it like this comes out somehow, and often in very destructive ways (such as passive aggression, or punishing silences). On the other hand, brain research has shown that when we obsess on negativity, or nurse our anger, it becomes explosive. Scripture then tells us to be angry and sin not, and to not let the sun go down on our wrath (Ephesians 4:26). It also tells that the solution is to come against it in the opposite spirit. We are, for example, to give thanks in all situations. This is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It's a sacrifice!
Lord Jesus, only when I'm full of Your Spirit, can I even start to rejoice in You always, and to give thanks in everything (Philippians 4:4). I need Your help to put to death the deeds and desires of the sinful nature (Romans 8:13). But You are well pleased with such sacrifices (Hebrews 13:6). So with Your help, I choose again to offer the sacrifice of praise, giving thanks to You in Your Holy Name (Hebrews 13:15) Amen
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