With a name (a new identity).with the promise of offspring for Abram (a family).with a land (a home). We see God blessing this old moon-god worshipper and it transforms him.Ī Question: How does God bless? He blesses… That’s what we see happening to Abram in this passage. A scorpion is a scorpion is a scorpion, but there is hope for sinners as God’s grace and blessing transforms us. In Jesus, grace changes what comes naturally to us. In Jesus He is restoring us to Himself and giving us the ability to look outside of ourselves and join in His mission of making Himself known in the world. Even when it comes to my redemption in Jesus, my nature leads me to focus solely on my own need for salvation and forget that my redemption is for a larger purpose.īut the good news is that God takes people like us and through His grace and blessing transforms us into people who want to live in obedience to Him, even though we still fail again and again. There is so much in my nature that I need God’s grace to cover. Just let me do what I want to do but please save me anyway!” There is so much in my nature that needs to be restored to working properly. I see it in me when I say in my actions to God, “I would rather you didn’t bother me with your words about how life works best. I see it in me when my son wants a piece of the bacon I’m enjoying and I have to decide whether or not to give him a piece. I see it in me when I become resentful of having to spend time and energy doing things that I don’t want to do. As Frog felt the toxins begin to flood through his body, his legs beginning to twitch and then not respond at all, he said, “What have you done? You’ve killed us both!” Scorpion replied, “What else could I do? It’s my nature.”įCF: It’s my nature to take care of myself. Scorpion plunged his stinger right into Frog’s spine, half-way down his back. Frog said, “We’re almost there!” But in the corner of his eye he saw that Scorpion had his long tail raised with his stinger ready to strike. They made great progress and soon found themselves past the mid-point of the deep floodwaters. Scorpion thanked Frog profusely and ever so slowly, they waded out into the current, Frog beginning with short, quick strokes, but gradually shifting to long, flowing strokes. “But I promise I won’t do it! Besides, if I sting you, then I’ll die, too! I can’t make it through these waters on my own! Please help me! You can’t just leave me here!” So, against his better judgment, Frog allowed Scorpion to crawl up on his back. Nooo, sir, you can’t ride on me.” Scorpion looked hurt. You speak nicely just to get close and then you jab them with your stinger and make them your diner. But you…you’re such a good swimmer! Can I get on your back and ride with you to the mainland? “Ohhhh, nooo,” laughed Frog, “I’ve seen what you have done to other Frogs before me. “Frog,” said Scorpion, “I’m so glad I found you! The waters are rising so quickly and I can’t swim. Once upon a time, there was a scorpion and a frog who happened to meet on an island in a river during a flood. But what comes naturally isn’t always good… Intro: Have you ever heard someone say in parting, “Take care of yourself.”? As if you needed reminding to do that! It’s like reminding someone to breath…I don’t need a reminder to do what comes naturally to me. In the framework of the Story of Redemption, this is the real beginning of the rising action. This week we’ll consider the substance of the promises God made to Abram and what grace received led Abram to do. To Abram, the least likely choice, God says in effect, “It’s not you, it’s me” as He sets his love on him forever, no matter what. It comes by the choice of a powerful, gracious God. Two weeks ago we saw that grace is always unexpected and never earned.
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