In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me.

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need.

- In Need, by Ross King

I was doing a study on this song earlier in the week, and I didn’t really have a chance to fully think through the impact of this truth. As all unoriginal people do when they first look at a subject, I looked up “need” in the dictionary. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines need as “A state that requires supply or relief.” It’s a very humbling position, to be in need, to depend on others for supply or relief. As human beings, we don’t like being vulnerable. We don’t like to show weakness, or to be hurt or to become burdensome to others. This is especially true in American society, where the selfish “look out for number one” mentality reigns supreme. However, the idea of being in constant need is a theme addressed throughout Scripture. We must depend on God and be in need to Him.

This is far easier said than done, however. Think of it this way: how many times during a day do you go about your normal routine activities and not stop to think that you need God to carry you through the activity? How often do we work on our homework or spend time with friends and forget that without God we have no basis for joy? How often do we share The Bridge illustration or disciple a younger Christian and only have God in our minds, and not our hearts? Honestly, I’ve seen so many Christians who live in an ideal world, a world where having many so-called “tools” or “illustrations” make a person ready for “the ministry.” I put these key words in quotes because they are tossed about in many Christian circles. These “tools,” like the Bridge illustration or the Topical Memory System, are wonderful ways to share Christ with others, or to help a young Christian begin establishing spiritual disciplines of Scripture Memory and meditation. However, many Christians I know seem to think these define our spiritual growth. Now, of the things I’ve mentioned so far, I’ve basically used The Navigators’ material as examples, not because they’re the most guilty (no particular group here is more guilty than another), but because they happen to have the most material I see on a regular basis. Any formulaic method, designed to help be “more effective,” makes me think that Christianity is more of a business enterprise than a life relationship with the One True God of the universe. When used improperly, these methods take the place of the Holy Spirit in the minds of young Christians.

So back to need. Why the above bothers me so much is because I see the Christian life beyond memorizing Scripture, praying every day, sharing the gospel with others, and all of that. This God that we claim to serve and worship is “before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). Scripture also tells us that apart from Him we can’t do anything (Jn. 15:5). Why then do we insist on making it so easy to not depend on Him in our actions? Need is fuel for our worship. Because we need God, way more than He needs us, we must surrender every aspect of our lives to Him so that He can satisfy us. The essence of Scripture is based on need. We had all we needed in God, we turned away from Him, and He came to bring us back to Him. We need more than we ever realize. And it is by our confidence in His provision that we yield our lives to Him. Enough of these walls and defensive barriers that keep God out. Let us cast all of our anxiety on the Almighty God, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

It’s a bold statement. Honestly, I can’t say that I confess my needs to God nearly enough. But by His amazing grace, I can say that this revelation truly challenged the core of my attitudes and motives.

In Need
Words and Music by Ross King
© 1996 Ross King

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.”
- 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (NIV)

It’s so hard to live an authentic life. Though our old self has died and we are born with a new self, our old tendencies are still present in our bodies. It’s why we should test our motives, our actions, and our words against the Word of God. Because it is the standard, because it is the truth, we can be confident of our lives when we live according to it.

One thing that makes this life easier is the grace and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This new life as a Christian is not one based on personal works, but of freedom that exists as Jesus Christ purifies us and makes us holy. This is why Paul can write in verse 8, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” In God’s awesome love and provision, we gradually see our lives transformed from that old, dead, sinful self to the holy, pure, glorified new self. While ontologically we are resurrected at the moment of salvation, the lingering effects of the old self gradually fade, as we continue to pursue God more.

Because of this awesome relationship we have with God, that we may glorify Him as He builds us up, we too should be building others up and encouraging them. This needs to be kept separate from flattery and “feel-good Christianity.” Building others up is far beyond simple “make someone feel good.” As a building is erected, piece by piece stone is laid to the foundation. If a stone is out of place, that stone needs to be removed quickly, or else the rest of the building will be messed up. In a similar way, our Christian friends should be the same way, laying down stones upon the foundation of Christ and the Word. However, if one of those stones is placed incorrectly, that stone and everything above it needs to be removed, because the building (our lives) will begin to lean crooked. I hope that my friends would be interested in building each other up in this way, and stay away from the shallow “feel good” compliments that only flatter and bring little growth. I also hope that I will be someone who builds up others according to the Word of God, and that I will not lead others astray from the truth.

“I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, ‘His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.’ Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:9-11 (NIV)

We ought to be living a consistent life. Often we end up acting different in front of people compared to when they are far off. We are quiet, unassuming, nice, godly people on the surface, but as soon as there’s no one around, our selfish nature seems to surge out, and we start doing and thinking things we should not. We might praise someone publicly, but behind their backs gossip and slander. Paul’s case is not as extreme as hypocrisy. While people don’t take him seriously when he is with them in person, they become anxious because his letters to them are “weighty and forceful.” However, he gently reminds them that he and the other letter writers have not changed – the same way they would be in person is the same way they write letters, and the same way they write letters is the same way they would be in person.

So, we should work to be that way as well. Though some people are not very good at public speaking, the lives we live should still be in line with Scripture, and our private lives should reflect God as well. I’ve heard it said that integrity is what we do when only God is watching. It’s our aim, because our witness depends on the authenticity of our lives.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

As it has been hashed out before, the Christian life is one full of death. We die every day to our own lives, to our selfishness, our sin, our old way of doing things. However, this death is not one of permanence. We are then reborn, or “born again” as new creations in Christ. This life that is now in us is what motivates us to do good – to love others, think for others, etc. This life is the source of our joy. This life brings us purpose and fulfillment to us. The world is a pale and dim shadow compared to the vibrant view of eternity awaiting for the believer.

Now, the only way to gain this life is by believing into Jesus Christ, a somewhat difficult task. I don’t mean difficult as in intellectually challenging, as though Christianity was illogically based, but it is extremely difficult for someone to admit that they cannot achieve everything on their own, and that they need to depend on someone superior to them. I don’t know about anyone else, but I often have a difficult time acquiescing to those who purport to be better than me. I’m sure everyone knows the type – the cocky, arrogant, “I’m better than you and I know it” type of person that just oozes with condescension. To be honest, those types of people make me angry and defensive, and in a battle of pride we try to duel to win each other’s respect. Now, if I find it difficult to get along with someone like that (I’m not even going to go into what would happen if I were to become this person’s disciple), I think that admitting to a supreme God would be totally difficult. Therefore, while God’s gift is freely offered to everyone, and anyone who believes and has a relationship with Christ is saved, it’s totally understandable that the majority of the world has refused to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The simplicity of the message prevents so many people from accepting it – Paul says that it’s a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23). It confounds the religious, and frustrates the intellectual, because when it comes right down to it, people would rather think that they have to achieve great things than to admit that they are totally helpless.

But I’m getting off the subject. What’s super cool about the very above passage is that the death Christians die to themselves is what leads to that holiness that Christians are becoming. And while everyone goes through troubles in life, Christians seem to have a knack for being more joyful and peaceful about what’s going on in their lives. That’s a major difference between someone who has hope for eternity and someone who doesn’t. The focus of Christians is on God, on the eternal, and from that the old, selfish nature dies and the God-loving, joyful, new self begins to live. And from that, faith becomes real to life, and not simply a philosophy. For Christianity is not a list of beliefs akin to “wishful thinking,” but the offer of an eternal life which is grounded in reality.

In conclusion (I always wanted to do that because it was banned in school), life is and totally needs to be grounded in faith. Without faith, there is no life. And without life, umm, well, it’s not good. Okay, so I lost my train of thought. But, it’s important to see that because of the glory of the life of Jesus Christ, we as Christians do not lose heart. I hope that that glory shines in my life every day.

Today Ronnie talked about the “life of faith,” exemplified by Abraham. Probably the key thing I got out of the message was that God is more interested in our trust in Him than our perfection. Not that we shouldn’t be seeking perfection, but our faith and trust need to be placed in God, and not in people or things. In fact, God rewards us for our faith, despite our imperfections. It’s really comforting to know that, since I mess up all the stinking time. I feel more confident in seeking God more because I know He’s interested in my heart more than my actions, and in turn my actions are authentic and genuine. It’s really cool how that goes.

This goes along with the next point. Ronnie also said that he’s never met someone who was so focused on heaven that they neglected life on Earth. I tend to agree with him. While I contend that it’s possible to have an incorrect focus on heaven that they neglect life on Earth, truly “spiritual” people who spend their lives focused on Jesus Christ do not forget the world in which they live. For someone to have their head in the clouds is not to possess the focus that Scripture teaches. It is the same way Christ lived in this world – by having His entire focus and relationship set with His Father, He was able to meet the needs of the people around. By looking up we are then able to see the needs around us. God’s amazing, isn’t He? It seems so paradoxical, that by thinking of others we heal our personal hurts, by looking up we can joyfully look around, which brings me to Jim Elliot’s great quote: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Lord, help me to keep my focus on You, regardless, and that my life would be a paradigm of faith. I pray that Your glory would be shown to all of Your creation, and that You would be duly worshiped as King and Sovereign Creator.