GODLY STRENGTH IS NOT BY SELF-ESTEEM

GODLY STRENGTH IS NOT BY SELF-ESTEEM

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Philippians [NLT] 2:1-11 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  Self-esteem is based in pride of identity, position, accomplishments real or supposed, recognition, ownership, IQ real or supposed, looks, dress code, attention received et al. Drop hyphen, reverse words, and what do you get? Esteem of self.

  Reading God’s Word (Bible) to us, and looking at how the Word (Jn.1:1) lived and died . . . we see that esteeming self is contrary to the will of God.

  Carefully reread Philippians 2:1-11 and see Jesus example of doing the will of God. Read how we are to identify with and emulate His humbleness. Is this to say as results of doing His will, copying His example, we will be tortured and killed? Though our demise may be required at the hand of man . . . though occurring elsewhere it is not likely to happen as yet in the USA.

  Pride deafens our ears to the voice of God. Emphasizing self-esteem does waxen our ears to hearing the King’s call for self-denial: ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt.16:24; Mk.8:34; 10:21; Lk.9:23)

  Self-esteem has to do with sovereignty in living. Said sovereignty may not involve the seemingly larger confliction of the rich young ruler (Mk.10:21). It can involve Martha-like emphasis on her tasks being of greater importance than sitting down to hear the Word, and even asking God to invoke His authority to support your business. (Lk.10:38-42)

  Among the words He spoke while here, He said “Therefore whoever shall humble himself like this little child, this one is the greater in the kingdom of Heaven. . . . And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Mt.18:4; 23:12)

  Being reminded of this truth, I suggest a humbling personal exercise for our day: Take note of every instance of conversation and deed that we say or do in effort toward self-esteem. Also note when we practice self-denial and esteem others above ourselves. At the end of this day then review prayerfully.  EBB4