Who even uses oars anymore? Apart from kayakers, canoeists, or boaters trying to dislodge their craft from too-shallow water, oars tend to lie unused in the bottom of many boats. We can thank ever-present, increasingly powerful, even self-deploying (there’s the dream!) trolling motors for this change in boat control and movement.
Back to the oars. When you try to row a boat, there is one basic rule: if you want to go straight, you have to have two oars in the water, or at least row on both sides of the boat. If you row on just one side, you won't get very far, unless going in circles is your goal.
Rowing with one oar in the water is like playing with a few cards short of a full deck, having a few bricks short of a full load, driving on a flat tire, running on empty, having an elevator that doesn't go to the top floor, having a driveway that doesn’t go all the way to the street, or the light is on but there’s nobody home. Foolish! (No more clichés, I promise.)
Are you rowing with both oars in the water spiritually? Many people aren't. Many are rowing with one oar, the oar that says, "I'm such a good person. I can fend for myself spiritually. I will live the way I want to. If there is a God and a place called heaven, I'll get there myself."
Here’s a tragedy: Often despising the very Means of Grace that brought them into the kingdom of God, many will get re-baptized, canceling grace and making God’s work their own. Rowing with one oar in the water. Going around and around and getting nowhere.
No need! “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9). God has done it all for us through his Son Jesus. Because of his perfect life and innocent death, forgiveness is won and heaven is open.
Why struggle and sweat and try to get there on our own? Why pray to assorted saints when you can approach God's throne of grace on your own through Jesus? Why try to even add a hint of your own effort to something that is given to you as a free gift? David’s words in Psalm 62 still apply, more than ever: “My soul rests quietly in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed…My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock.” (vv. 1,2,7)
God's way is best. Travel straight to heaven with both oars in the water, relying completely on his full and complete grace. Better yet, leave them in the water, take your hands off of them and enjoy the journey of grace. Rather than seek to manipulate or maneuver, respond with trust and love. Let. God. Do. His Thing.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
Back to the oars. When you try to row a boat, there is one basic rule: if you want to go straight, you have to have two oars in the water, or at least row on both sides of the boat. If you row on just one side, you won't get very far, unless going in circles is your goal.
Rowing with one oar in the water is like playing with a few cards short of a full deck, having a few bricks short of a full load, driving on a flat tire, running on empty, having an elevator that doesn't go to the top floor, having a driveway that doesn’t go all the way to the street, or the light is on but there’s nobody home. Foolish! (No more clichés, I promise.)
Are you rowing with both oars in the water spiritually? Many people aren't. Many are rowing with one oar, the oar that says, "I'm such a good person. I can fend for myself spiritually. I will live the way I want to. If there is a God and a place called heaven, I'll get there myself."
Here’s a tragedy: Often despising the very Means of Grace that brought them into the kingdom of God, many will get re-baptized, canceling grace and making God’s work their own. Rowing with one oar in the water. Going around and around and getting nowhere.
No need! “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9). God has done it all for us through his Son Jesus. Because of his perfect life and innocent death, forgiveness is won and heaven is open.
Why struggle and sweat and try to get there on our own? Why pray to assorted saints when you can approach God's throne of grace on your own through Jesus? Why try to even add a hint of your own effort to something that is given to you as a free gift? David’s words in Psalm 62 still apply, more than ever: “My soul rests quietly in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be disturbed…My salvation and my honor depend on God, my strong rock.” (vv. 1,2,7)
God's way is best. Travel straight to heaven with both oars in the water, relying completely on his full and complete grace. Better yet, leave them in the water, take your hands off of them and enjoy the journey of grace. Rather than seek to manipulate or maneuver, respond with trust and love. Let. God. Do. His Thing.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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