Posture Matters

How is your posture? This doesn’t mean whether you sit up straight or avoid slouching. Rather, how is your posture toward God? Do you have a right attitude about your sin and about Jesus’ Lordship?

There are many examples in Scripture that offer a clear picture of proper posture. One is the parable Jesus shared about the Pharisee and the tax collector. While the Pharisee stood and thanked God that he was not like other sinful men, the tax collector humbly bowed his head and prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” He was fully aware of his need for a Savior, while the Pharisee felt secure in his supposed goodness. Jesus said only one—the tax collector—went away justified.

The criminals crucified on either side of Jesus provide another example of posture. Physically, they were both positioned the same—arms spread wide, helplessly hanging on a cross. However, one criminal had a very different attitude from the other. The gospel of Luke tells us that while one yelled at Jesus, demanding that He save them, the other acknowledged, “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then, in the last moments of his life, the man asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. In some miraculous way, this man knew who was next to him and humbly positioned himself before Him.

The Old Testament also shows us an example of correct posture toward God with two well-known kings: Saul and David. When confronted about their disobedience, they had very different attitudes about their sin. After disobeying God’s orders following battle, Saul justified his behavior and shifted the blame to others. However, when David was confronted about his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, he immediately declared, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Acts 13:22 says David was a man after God’s heart. What a position to hold!

God doesn’t expect us to beat ourselves up over our sin, but we are to have a right view of sin and our need for a Savior. When we humbly come before Him, He offers us right standing with Him.

Pray

Lord, thank You that You have cast my sins as far as the east is from the west. Help me to know that I am secure in You, but also that I’m dependent upon You every day as my Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.