Your Value In Christ by Tom Rainwater (http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/)
The way a Christian perceives himself will directly affect his
conduct, and thus his eternal destiny. Each disciple of the Lord
must have a proper self-view in order to be fruitful in the kingdom.
He should not think more of himself than he ought, nor should
he think less of himself than what the Lord does.
Over-inflating Your Own Value
Many brethren have fallen from grace because they let pride and
over-confidence rule their hearts (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians
10:12). Simon Peter is an example of a disciple who couldn't please
his Lord unless he properly viewed himself as being subject to
Christ's will (Mark 8:31-33). The apostles could not adequately
serve the Lord until they stopped competing with one another and
became humble like little children (Matthew 18:1-4). One cannot
live in self-centered pride and be in a right relationship with
God at the same time (Proverbs 8:13; 1 Corinthians 4:6,18,19;
1 Timothy 3:6; 3 John 9-11).
God wants you to humble yourself before Him (James 4:6-10), and
to remember that you are an "unprofitable servant" doing
what is your duty to do (Luke 17:10). You are undeserving of your
salvation, thus there is no reason to boast. Jesus deserves all
the glory (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
Getting A Proper Perspective
In order to prevent pride and promote humility, you are commanded
by God to frequently evaluate your own spiritual condition.
"For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing,
he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work..."
Galatians 6:3-4a. (NASB)
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine
yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that
Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test?"
2 Corinthians 13:5. (NASB)
You must closely examine your own life to ensure that you keep
to the straight path of righteousness, without wavering off course
to destruction. Remember that God sees you exactly as you are
(Hebrews 4:11-13). Since the Lord is your judge, you must abide
by His instructions.
"But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law
of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer
but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does."
James 1:25. (NASB)
Devaluing Yourself
However, some Christians, in abandoning pride, go too far in the
other direction. They fall past humility into a form of self-loathing.
Perhaps because of life's circumstances or habitual thinking,
they come to believe they are worthless in the kingdom and of
little value to the Lord. As feelings of doubt and depression
increase, they may decide they don't like themselves, and thus
lose confidence in their ability to obey the Lord or do anything
spiritual. They have forgotten their true value and potential
in Christ.
Friends, this is not humility; it is self-pity. It is the temptation
to be swallowed up by too much sorrow. Proper humility leads to
spiritual productiveness, but self-pity leads to spiritual stagnation.
Consider these differences: Pride says, "I can and I will
by myself" (Daniel 4:29-33). Humility says, "I can and
I will by the Lord's will" (James 4:13-16). But self-pity
says, "I just can't."
Why did the Israelites panic at the doorstep of Canaan and decide
to retreat at the grim report of the ten spies? (Numbers 13:30
- 14:4ff). Why did the Israelite army cowerr in fear at the challenge
of the Philistine giant, Goliath? (1 Samuel 17:4-11,24). Why did
Elijah run away and hide in a cave? (1 Kings 19:1-18). These people
became inactive because they lost confidence in themselves as
servants of the Lord. They were thinking "I can't" and
thus they didn't.
It wasn't until God reminded Elijah of his place and purpose that
the prophet got up and went back to work. For us, the Scriptures
frequently prod us to obedience by reminding us of our worth and
place in the kingdom of Christ.
Realizing Your True Value
Our value comes from the fact that we are wonderfully made in
the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27; Psalm 139:14) and possess a
soul that has greater value than all the world's riches (Matthew
16:26). God further demonstrated our value by sending Jesus to
die on the cross for us (Romans 5:6-11). Our price tag is the
blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-21). Though in humility we
know that we do not deserve the love, attention, and sacrifice
of Deity, nevertheless, we must by faith believe what the Bible
says about our value in the eyes of God.
As children in God's family, we are co-heirs with Christ (Romans
8:17). We are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, His own special people" (1 Peter 2:9). Angels
minister unto us (Hebrews 1:14) and rejoice in our obedience (Luke
15:10). Jesus is preparing a place for us to live with Him in
Heaven forever (John 14:2).
So, how valuable are we?
Indeed, the way we perceive our own value has a direct effect
on our conduct. Knowing all these wonderful things keeps us humble
and motivates us to serve Jesus with confidence and hope. The
Apostle Paul understood that. He said, "For the love of Christ
constrains (motivates) us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). That knowledge
gave him the confidence to say, "I can do all things through
Jesus Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Conclusion
True happiness in life comes from gaining a proper perspective
of yourself from Scripture and living accordingly. There is joy
in knowing who made you, who sacrificed Himself for you, and in
giving Him the glory for it all.
How Much Are You Worth? by Ken Green (kengreen@kemperheights.com)
"Your adornment must...be the hidden person of the heart,
with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which
is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
The Reader's Digest told the story some years ago of a young lady
named Serita who lived on the island of Kittyattie in the South
Pacific. When a man desires to take a woman as his wife, it is
the custom of this land to reach an agreement with the bride's
father on the number of cows he will accept in exchange for his
daughter. The more beautiful the girl, the more she will cost.
A strikingly lovely wife might cost as much as six cows. An average
beauty would go for three.
Serita was not recognized as a beauty. Her shoulders were stooped.
Her hair was always unkempt. She did not feel that she had much
to work with and so put forth little effort to improve her appearance.
Her father hoped he might get two cows for her but had made up
his mind to settle for one if need be.
Johnny Lingo lived on a nearby island. He had proved himself a
shrewd trader and had grown quite wealthy. Johnny saw something
in Serita that others did not see. After several visits to Kittyattie,
he announced that he was in love with her. Many laughed and declared
that Johnny wanted his cows more than a beautiful wife.
Johnny visited Serita's father and asked for her hand in marriage.
The older man prepared himself for the bartering process and asked
how much he was willing to offer for her. "Eight cows!"
exclaimed Johnny. Such a price was absolutely unprecedented. One
villager said that Johnny must be either crazy or blind. No one
could understand why a smart trader like Johnny would give eight
cows for a woman that he could probably get for one.
But Johnny understood something. He knew that a woman who was
valued at one cow would act like a one-cow wife. Johnny didn't
want a one-cow wife. He wanted an eight-cow wife and he saw Serita
as an eight-cow woman.
It was really amazing how the stoop went out of Serita's shoulders
and how straight she began to stand. Her beautiful hair became
her glory. In fact, people soon began to consider her as one of
the loveliest women in the islands.
It makes a great difference in our lives when we are worth a lot
to someone. Therefore it should be a matter of frequent meditation
for the Christian that our Creator has appraised us at immeasurable
worth. "You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like
silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition
from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18,19).
It should make us stand a little straighter. We are valued far
beyond eight cows. "The brother of humble circumstances is
to glory in his high position" (James 1:9).
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This Month's Bible Reading: Deuteronomy
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