WE ARE STUDYING abiding in Him and He in us. The second saves the first from spiritual paternalism. I saw a carved wooden statue entitled “Paternalism.” It was the figure of a tall man standing behind a shorter one. The face of the tall man was self-satisfied and smug. His hands were around the throat of the smaller man, whose tongue was out and his face in pain. Paternalism manages people in their supposed interests and feels righteous in doing so. They can point to the innumerable deeds of kindness they have done and are doing for the recipient. The central sin of the relationship is the sin of not allowing the recipient to grow and develop on his own. Therefore, paternalism is sin—sin against another.
In Jesus, the central redemption is redemption from the sin that hinders growth, plus the opening of opportunities for positive growth. Redemption is recreation. Jesus said: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and then hastens to say, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). He is not a light that would stand in lone grandeur and brilliance to be wondered at and admired. He is a light that creates light in us, so much so that He says, “You are the [very] light of the world.” He glories in our glory, glad when we become the light of the world.
More amazing still is the passage: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). I will come in and eat with him—I will be guest and he will be Host. Host to Christ—He depending on my bounty! That makes me at once very important, almost indispensable in that situation. Then He adds: “and he with me”—He becomes Host and I become guest. He adds it almost as an afterthought, but it is very important—in the end He is in charge. Jesus is Lord! But He became Lord through self-giving to the recipient.
O Jesus, my Lord, Thy Lordship is through Thy servantship. Thou dost go to the heights through the depths. Teach me the secret of Thy mastery. Teach me to bend so I can stand straight. Thy mastery is my freedom. I am grateful. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: As I desire freedom to grow, so I will give freedom to grow to those around me.
