DROOPING WITH ANTHROPOCENTICISM
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: 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, meekness, self-control; against such things there is
no law. But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its
passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 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 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Anthropocentric [an-thruh-poh-sen-trik], adjective
1. regarding the human being as the central fact of the
universe.
2. assuming human beings to be the final aim and end of
the universe.
3. viewing and interpreting everything in terms of human experience and values.
For many, all or much
of personal identity has to do with prideful things: race, family, genealogy,
culture, ability, achievements, wealth, intelligence, prowess, toughness,
possessions (may possessively 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 fine, 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 and obvious demeanor.
Having lost old identity
basis that was our trusted motivator for so many years we may droop without the
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 John 1:12; 2Corinthians 5:17-20 identity.
Once we were an
unregenerate human being; God’s creation but not His John 1:12 child. After
trusting Lord Jesus Christ, we are family, 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
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