Once again I hear those dreaded words echoing in my head, “Oh Ed, you are such a good man.” I know it sounds like I am complaining again or just trying to be difficult, but no matter how many times I hear those words I cringe. The big question is why?
The answer is simple, I AM NOT! Did you hear me I said I AM NOT!
The ministry I am involved with allows me to serve the community which is great. Community Connections has the privilege to be able to assist those in need and partner with the food bank to engage people who need a helping hand. Like most people in ministry I felt as if I was called to help, not by any person but the spirit that dwells within. While I am actually serving by lifting or packing or serving the food you have to understand that it is not for me, nor is it for the clients I see week to week. I do it for the Lord. Don’t get me wrong I still love the people; but I don’t do it for them, if I did I probably would have stopped long ago. You see we are all imperfect and flawed living in a broken world. To view myself as a “Good Man” or accept a compliment of such origin is to lift myself up beyond my rightful status.
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
I am; and will remain until the day I die or see my Saviour, a sinner. I am just one of many who needs to be saved and continues to be saved on a daily bases. It’s not that I think people should not be grateful, or express their gratitude, it just that I don’t want it to be missed placed. God is to be praise for without him I would remain the same unloving, self-centered person I was, caring only for my fleshly wants and apparent needs. Only because of him have I changed and now serve in gratitude for the greatest gift of all, life. And actually when I think about it I haven’t really changed that much, it is more of my perspective that has changed, and a deepening knowledge of my need to be saved.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
So please if you see me serving or doing something you would classify as “Good” give Christ the praise and Glory, for I am still a sinner and the same as everyone else. To those close to me I wish to say thank you for sharing the burden of ministry, the joy I feel as we work as a team is difficult to express. But you are like family to me and I love you all. Let us not forget that it is Christ in us that needs to do this work and that we are called to be his hands and feet. I am glad that I could set the record straight.
A posting by the daily bread on Feb 21,2013 also backs up this point.
A posting by the daily bread on Feb 21,2013 also backs up this point.
Jars of Clay
It reminds me of Paul’s comments about the ministry of Jesus through us, when he said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7 niv). It’s easy to forget that we are the packaging and His work is the treasure. So we adorn our jars of clay, taking credit for the things we do to serve Christ. We seek to bring glory to ourselves when we’ve forgiven someone, or shown mercy, or given generously. The problem is, when we start seeking affirmation and praise for good deeds, we compete with the brilliance of the treasure of God working through us.
When we do things for Christ, it’s not about us but about His glory. The less obvious we are, the more brilliant He becomes. Which is why, Paul says, the treasure has been put in jars of clay so that God would be the one to be glorified. Besides, since when are jars of clay significant? It’s what’s inside that counts!
Help us not to cloud God’s glory
Nor with self His light to dim;
May each thought to Christ be captive,
Emptied to be filled with Him. —Anon.
Nor with self His light to dim;
May each thought to Christ be captive,
Emptied to be filled with Him. —Anon.
Let the brilliance of the treasure of Christ shine through you as you live for Him.
