A while back, I rewrote the lyrics to the popular Garth Brooks song, Friends in Low Places. I was inspired by a prolonged encounter with someone who was being quite self-righteous, and it dawned on me how much time Jesus spent with those that were just “normal” people. In fact, He was so close to these folks that He was called a glutton and a drunk. He was called the Friend of Sinners.
The blue-collar, rough around the edges, love to have a good time, hear a good story, and laugh hard a great joke kind of people.
The struggling to survive, worried about taking care of their family kind of people.
The sick, prostitute, destitute, demon possessed kind of people.
The low class fisherman and the hated “traitor” tax collector kind of people.
Jesus loved them all, and these people were found in His ranks as His closest followers.
Before I get into the song, here’s a few notes to consider:
- This is not written to condemn any individual or group, but towards the religious, self-righteous mindset or spirit. This is a mindset that relies on one’s own external performance to be counted as good and righteous before God. The self-righteous spirit often assumes that anyone doing less than them is not worthy of love and respect.
- The self-righteous spirit causes one to rely on our own power to please God, rather than resting in what Christ has done for us already.
- We all may fall prey to this spirit at times.
- “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matt 5:3, NLT)
Jesus Has Friends in Low Places
Blame it all on my roots
I don’t give two hoots
About your religious affairBelieve me I know
You’re all about show
It’s all about yourselves that you careAnd I saw the surprise
And the fear in your eyes
When I healed that man of his painHe looked at you
Said now your power is through
Now he is livin’ again(Chorus)
‘Cause I’ve got friends in low places
Prostitutes and drunks
But My love chases their sins away
And they’ll be okay
Now they’re not in your social graces
But they know real heavenly places
Oh I’ve got friends
In low placesYou say they are wrong
And just don’t belong
Like you’ve never been there beforeEverything’s alright
Now they have new sight
It’s you who are truly poorHey I didn’t mean
To cause a big scene
Just give me the broken and then
We’ll step outside of these whitewashed tombs
That you’re livin’ in!(Chorus 2x)
Here’s the music for the song.
Follow the Life!
*****
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Such a fitting song to rewrite for this subject. Amen, brother! My heart breaks when I see God’s people so consumed with a self-righteous spirit. Things are so backwards when people try to climb ever higher on an imaginary religious ladder, when Jesus continually steps down to meet those who humbly admit they are poor and need Him. I thank God for an indwelling Lord who is Righteousness Himself, and helps carry the load.
self right ness is the greatest sin–better yet its the unpardonable sin.