DROOPING WITH ANTHROPOCENTICISM

Friday, January 10, 2014

Matthew 18:1-4; 23:10-12 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. … Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Galatians [MKJV] 5:22-26 … the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become glory-seeking, provoking one another, envying one another.

Ephesians [MKJV] 5:8-9 … you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

 

  For many, much of personal identity has to do with prideful things: race, family, genealogy, culture, ability, achievements, wealth, intelligence, prowess, toughness, possessions (may include spouse and children), knowledge, education, stature, looks, position, talents, neighborhood, dwelling(s), et al. 

  When our being is based in pride, our common practice is investing considerable time and effort in said identity’s maintenance and increase. When we trust God and His Way (Jn.14:6) and leave prideful identification, in its place we gain that which is truly finest, the fruit of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control . . . all goodness and righteousness and truth.”; the blessed state of usefulness of moral excellence in character or demeanor.

  Having lost old basis of indentifying being that was trusted motivator for so many years we may droop without anthropocentric incentive. Or, clinging to our old way for being, we simply shift our pride to Christian works; thereby stumbling to and fro in confusion as we incur God’s resistance. (James 4:1-10) This should not be and will not be if we live in our new identity.

  Once we were only unregenerate human being. After trusting Lord Jesus Christ, we are Christian being, “a follower of Christ”, redeemed, a being in and by Him. It is our Christian being that should and will motivate us if we so allow; “We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. … So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.” (GW 2Cor.4:18; 5:16-17)

  Droop not.  EBB4