It's a question that's been nagging you, and then all of a sudden you have a revelation of the answer!
Got it this morning!
We all have to come to the point that we understand that we are a wretch before we can surrender all!
It was easy for me to "know" I was wretched. I have half jokingly said, in my Testimony, "the only thing I hadn't done was commit murder or rob a bank"; I was that bad! It was easy for me to admit I had done nothing to deserve my salvation! I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was a gift from God, because I truly deserved to burn in hell!
But what about the good church goer, who has always tried to do right? The prodigal's brother so to speak!
We all sing: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" But is there a "knowing" in everyone's heart of his wretchedness? I don't think so.
What does it take for one to come to the realization that he brings nothing to the table?
The Bible states it many times;
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,”
Titus 3:5a KJV
“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.”
Proverbs 30:12 KJV
Wretchedness is totally different. It's coming to the end of yourself! And it levels the playing field. We realize none are good.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:10 KJV
We the "wretched" understand that we are all clay and are content to be a lump; usable by the Master Potter. Until we get to that point we will be trying to tell Him how best to use us. We will only choose to be a "vessel of honor", whereas as a true lump we know we have no say and are content to just be molded by His hands.
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14 KJV
Knowing you are a sinner is so important, for without that knowledge you won't know you need a Savior! But do we really understand that we were born into sin; all of us; every single one of us?
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
Romans 5:12 KJV
And all of our life we are told to be good! And we try.
There was actually a campaign by atheists: "Be good for goodness' sake!" The idea you don't need God to be good; in direct opposition to the teaching of Jesus.
“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
Mark 10:18 KJV
Being good is works based. Even the concept is wrong. It's something you really can't do by yourself, because our hearts are wrong. For when you are good, you can pat yourself on the back and say, I was good! The key is self! Self cannot be elevated; only God may reside on the throne! There can be only One! And no matter how good we are we are not God!
Another thing wretchedness is not - "the wilderness!" Although sometimes God will reveal our wretchedness while we are in the wilderness. Sometimes it takes being in a desert place to reveal the thirst we have to have! For it's the Living Water that saves us for eternity!
When you truly know you were born into wretchedness and that you need forgiveness to be saved from hell, it is easier to comprehend the following Scriptures.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 KJV
If you know you need forgiveness and mercy, and that you can't possible live good enough to earn them; that you are as lost as the murderer, adulterer, and the thief, then it is easier to give forgiveness and mercy!
The worldly church delights in and flaunts the perks of being a child of The King; giving itself titles and wearing crowns.
Whereas the wretched, prefers anonymity so that God gets all of the glory! It's "God's work", not mine or yours. It doesn't need a building. Or a big budget or bankroll. What He is doing, He will fund!
There is no pressure being an arm, a mouth, an ear, a foot. Those parts just do what The Head tells them to do! And there is only one Head to the body! He leads and the wretched follows, and rejoices at being useful! But He gets the glory!
My prayer: show us our wretchedness! Thank You for Your mercy and Your grace!
Even so - MARANATHA!
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