After All I’ve Done…
After All I’ve Done…..
Humans are basically selfish, self-centered people. We pride ourselves on all kinds of accomplishments and create medals and awards for the simplest of things. We like to be noticed, appreciated and recognized. Taking pride in our own achievements is a daily occurrence and we keep long mental lists of the good things we do, especially when it comes to others. We hold those lists captive, ready to whip out at the slightest offense. We can remember in detail every act of kindness we have done and every dollar we spent, sacrificing our own needs for another, and we are masters at reminding the offender of their shortfall, complaining that we have “done so much.”
Scripture tells us in Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
That’s a sobering verse if ever there was one. Even the best thing we have ever done is considered a filthy rag, and yet we cling to these acts like they are our justice. The bigger question here is, “What is your motive for helping someone or giving them aid in any way?”
Truly, if it wasn't the Holy Spirit prompting you, then it was your flesh. If it was God inspiring you to be kind or generous or good, then the outcome of such good works is laid squarely in God’s hands.
What if Jesus reminded us of our shortcomings all the time? What if every time we messed up He took out His notebook and reminded us of everything He has ever done for us? He’s truly the only One who can actually do that with authority, and yet He doesn’t. Ever.
Instead He set the example and gave us His wisdom to live life to the full and consider everyone we meet as an equal to ourselves and a creation in His own image.
Leviticus 19:18
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Mark 12:33
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
If there is anyone who has a reason to feel slighted or offended, it is Jesus. Today we celebrate the Holiest of days in the Christian calendar. Jesus was tortured to death. The ultimate sacrifice. He could certainly remind us of everything He did for us on that bleak and horrible day. He alone is worthy to utter the words, “After all I’ve done for you, “ and not once have I ever heard Him say them. Everything He has ever given me or done for me, He has done freely. No strings attached. No obligations. Love does that.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-7
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Next time you hear yourself utter those horrible words, “After all I’ve done, “ take a moment to remember all that has been done for you. The list will be long and if the debt was recalled today, you couldn’t pay it. The truth is, you wouldn’t have to because it has already been paid for you. Jesus, King Jesus, paid it all.