You may recall years ago Muhammad Ali was on a plane about to take off. The hostess asked passengers to buckle their seatbelts. In jest, Ali told the hostess “Superman don’t need to fasten his seatbelt.” The hostess shot back, “Neither does superman need an airplane.”
Feeling self-sufficient is why many people see no need to come to Christ. Not to be confused with self-confidence; feeling self-sufficient can keep us from humbly bowing to the authority of God. Jesus exposed self-righteous people but embraced and blessed those who humbly saw their need for God. When he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners, he told his proud critics. “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have not come to call those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” We are on shaky ground if we are so uppity and proud that we limit our contacts to the elite and powerful. We are on solid ground if we humbly identify with the poor, the homeless, and the powerless; and when in the name of Jesus we work to see them get justice.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
