By Jon Beaty
The Dunning-Kruger effect describes how individuals with limited experience often overestimate their abilities, while experts may underestimate theirs. Since we often fail to know what we don't know, we do ourselves a huge favor by heeding biblical wisdom that counsels us to stay humble and warns us that God opposes the proud.
The Danger of Forgotten Miracles
In Numbers 13, Moses sends twelve spies into the Promised Land—twelve leaders who had witnessed miracle after miracle. They had seen Egypt destroyed by ten plagues, walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, eaten manna from heaven, and stood at Mount Sinai when God gave the Ten Commandments.
Yet when they returned after forty days, ten of these leaders saw only fortified cities and giants. In one moment, they forgot everything God had done.
In our own self-confidence, we might wonder how they could forget so quickly. But we shouldn't take comfort in the idea that we're somehow wiser. We have not yet laid claim to the land God has promised us. Until we do, we face the same danger.
The real danger wasn't fortified armies and giants. The danger was that they hadn't asked "Why?" They trusted in their own wisdom and strength instead of asking: Why not trust God? Why not choose faith over fear?
Ellen White reflected near the end of her life: "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history," (Counsels for the Church, p. 359).
What's In It for Me?
The Gospels tell of a rich young man who came to Jesus asking, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" The problem lay in his self-centered concern: What do I get?
Jesus reveals something profound: The Kingdom of Heaven is not about what you get as much as what you're willing to give.
"Jesus told him, 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Matthew 19:21-22)
This is the criteria for success in life itself. What are you willing to give to your family? To build up your church? To make disciples in response to God's call?
The Laodicean Condition
In Revelation 3, Jesus addresses the Laodicean church—representative of His church before the Second Coming. Jesus says, "You say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."
The church is in this condition because Jesus stands outside, urgently knocking, asking for an invitation to come in. To have Jesus come in, a person needs to make room for Jesus in their heart. The rich young ruler's heart was full—possessed by his great possessions.
The danger wasn't that he did not keep all the commandments. The danger was that he hadn't asked "Why?" He trusted in his own obedience and accumulated wealth. The pride that filled his heart left no room for Jesus.
Righteousness by Faith
The message of Righteousness by Faith runs through Scripture—from Adam and Eve through Revelation. This doctrine teaches, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV)
Righteousness by Faith requires us to ask "Why?" Why has God's church not entered the eternal Promised Land? Why are we so content with what we have that we don't seek more?
Jesus appeals to the Laodicean church: "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed... and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."
Jesus appeal to us is to acquire Righteousness by Faith by receiving His character for our salvation and good works, represented by gold and white garments. We cannot buy something without giving up something. Jesus' white garments don't cover our filthy garments—they replace them. We need to give up the old life to receive the new life.
Making Room
Jesus is urgently knocking. We need to ask: What is blocking me from opening the door wide?
What you'll discover is a need to be crucified—to die to selfish desires and receive new life from the Spirit of Jesus living in you. The Apostle Paul describes the experience like this: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
As we face giants in our lives, remember God's faithfulness and trust in His promises. When you face discouragement and doubts, embrace childlike humility. Ask yourself, "Why not trust God?"
My friend Larry shared this old story about a man who slipped over a cliff and hung onto a bush to avoid falling. Unable to climb or see below, he prayed to God for help. God answered, "Let go." Afraid to let go, he asked, “Is anyone else there?” If he'd let go, he would have found a safe path just beneath him.
When we face God's requirements, we need to be willing to give up all for God's kingdom. When you face fear about letting go, ask yourself, "Why not trust God’s promises? Why not give myself fully to God's call?"
If you're not yet experiencing the transforming power of Righteousness by Faith—start asking yourself "Why?"