what the bible says about comparing ourselves to others created uniquely

Introduction

Every historic period has its own special characteristics and our historic period is no different. The apostle Paul warns that in the last days, men would exist "lovers of cocky…rather that lovers of God" (two Tim. 3:2, 4). In our day the concept of self paradigm, self esteem and self love has become a hot topic and the subject area of much word.

One of the big debates going on today is the place of psychology in Christianity. A host of writers and theologians take criticized psychology for being self-centered, humanistic, ineffective, and anti-biblical. Others fence for the legitimate employ of psychology maintaining it is a science and thus legitimate. In a recent commodity in Christianity Today entitled, "The Mind Doctors," the writer, a Christian psychologist, writes, "Few Christians today would say we demand know goose egg more well-nigh chemistry or physics than the Bible teaches. The same holds true for psychology, itself a science (p. 19, Christianity Today, April 8, 1988).

Without getting into that debate, one affair is clear and I believe truthful. As Paul warns us, we are living in a day in which nosotros accept become lovers of self and our society has get cocky-centered and satiated with self and self-hyphenated, self-fixated words like self-actualization, self-esteem, self-worth, and self-fulfillment.

Christian books also reflect this. Some examples are: Love Yourself, The Art of Learning to Beloved Yourself, Loving Yourselves, Celebrate Yourself, You're Someone Special, Cocky Esteem: You're Improve than Yous Recollect, and probably the best known of all, Self Esteem: The New Reformation, by Robert Schuler.

A leading Christian psychologist has said, if a prescription could be written for the women of the world that would provide each one of them with a healthy dose of self-esteem and personal worth (taken three times a day until the symptoms disappear) this would fill their greatest need. Only is this argument really true? Office of the problem here is semantics and there is no doubt that wrong thinking nigh ourselves is at the heart of a lot of misery, fright, doubt, loneliness, and withdrawal. But we do need to be conscientious here. Is the trouble one of depression self-esteem or a drove, indeed, a avalanche of self-centered thoughts rather than biblical God-centered thoughts near who we are and how we fit into the program of God? Is the issue one of exalting, lifting up ourselves, or one of exalting God and His programme and revelation concerning who nosotros are?

What is the solution? What do we need? Well first, we must not effort to scripturalize some psychological fad or globe viewpoint, nor should nosotros allow ourselves to get self-centered and caught upwards in the 'selfism' of the world. But information technology is true that having a right (biblical) self-concept or thinking properly about ourselves in the light of God'due south grace is important to spiritual maturity, to healthy spiritual lives, and effective ministry. This is an outcome that is addressed in Scripture as is evident in a number of passages (Rom. 12: 3f; 2 Tim. 1:vii-viii; 1 Tim. 1:18; iv:12-15; 1 Cor. 16:10).

The subject of our cocky-concept or self-image creates a kind of paradox. The Bible-believing Christian knows that he is a sinner, that in himself dwells no good thing, and that in himself he has no merit with God; withal, like a paradox, at the same fourth dimension, he too knows, as a creation of God, created in God'south paradigm and redeemed past His grace, he has value and purpose in life.

And so how practise we hit a proper balance? How do nosotros avert the cocky-centered approach and focus of the world and at the same time accept a biblical concept of self, a proper viewpoint of our ain value and purpose that sets us costless to serve the living God, that sets us gratuitous from those thoughts and feelings that tie the states in knots and ruin our personalities, create false agendas and motives that so people are incapacitated for ministry?

That we retrieve properly about ourselves is important and is fifty-fifty commanded in Scripture. In Romans 12:iii, the apostle wrote, "For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to call back, simply to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of organized religion."

The bones word for "think" in this passage is proneo, which ways "think, form or hold an opinion, judge." "Sober discernment," is sophroneo, "be of sound listen." It means "to be in 1's right mind, be reasonable, keep one's head." Just kickoff, the apostle warns united states against thinking more highly of ourselves than nosotros should." The Greek word hither is huperphroneo, "to think too highly of oneself, to be haughty." Ironically, quite contrary to our society today, the campaigner does not warn against thinking too little of ourselves. Regardless, the sound thinking Paul is calling for is grounded in biblical revelation and faith in the work of God for us in Christ. Paul is calling for thinking and personal evaluation based on the authority of God's revelation and on the facts of God and His grace. It means we are to look at ourselves through the lenses of Scripture.

To Timothy, whom some expositors accept nick named "Timid Tim" because he seems to accept been having problems with his self-confidence (or conviction in God's gifts and ministry for his life), Paul wrote in two Timothy i:7, "For God has not given us a Spirit of timidity, simply of ability and dear and discipline" (or sound-mind thinking). The Greek word for "subject" here is related to the word used for thinking in Romans 12:3. It is sophronismos from sophron, "sensible, prudent." It comes from sos, "prophylactic, sound, and phren, "the centre, the listen, or the inner man." Sophronismos refers to "command, self-bailiwick, prudence" that stems from right thinking. A controlled life, one that demonstrates self-subject stems from soundness of mind, from knowing and interim on the truth of Scripture in the light of God'south grace in Christ. In both passages, Romans 12:3 and two Timothy 1:7, the context deals with God'southward gifts to usa and the bold expression of those gifts in loving ministry for the sake of the body of Christ.

Thinking properly virtually ourselves stems from correct thinking well-nigh God, but then that extends to right thinking almost others then that it results in a freedom to serve co-ordinate to the grace of God.

At present, let'south enquire some questions: What am I worth as a person? Practise I feel good about who I am or do I wish I was someone else? Take I accepted who I am equally a person, not my sin or sinful habits, simply the uniqueness God has created in me as a person (Ps. 139:13-14)? How we answer these questions may play a key office in what nosotros do with our lives, how nosotros live our lives, in the joy nosotros experience in life, in the way we treat others, and in how nosotros respond to people and to God.³⁵ "Research has shown that we tend to act in harmony with our mental cocky-portrait. If we don't like the kind of person nosotros are, we think no one else likes us either. And that influences our social life, our job functioning, our relationships with others."³⁶

A biblical concept of self developed out of our concept of God and His grace is important to solid spiritual maturity, to ministry, to our ability to lead others, and especially to our ability to exist servants. Without a biblical concept of self, we end up playing spiritual king-of-the-mountain and engage in promoting personal agendas to build up a sagging ego. We seek from position, power, and praise what we should get from resting in God's grace.

Thus, in order to effectively lead or government minister to others we must recall biblically about who we are. This means 2 key things: (a) we need to know our abilities and limitations while (b) always keeping in heed a biblical view of God, His grace to us in Christ, and knowing our sufficiency is always in God regardless of our abilities or weaknesses (run across 2 Cor. 2:16-3:half dozen).

Why is thinking in these terms so of import? Because without information technology nosotros will vacillate between fearfulness and pride or between insecurity and overconfidence. Without this we will become either withdrawn and introverted or nosotros will notice ourselves running around in a hubbub of activeness trying to feel good nigh ourselves considering of our achievements. Paul's spiritual maturity and qualification every bit a leader is seen in his freedom to serve others because, resting in who he was in Christ every bit a servant chosen of God by grace, he was non seeking to protect a poor self-image or to print men with his greatness (cf. 1 Cor. four:1ff; 1 Thess. ii:1-half dozen).

An inadequate cocky-paradigm robs us of the free energy and powers of attention to relate to others because we are absorbed with our own inadequacies. That is particularly true when we're in the presence of people who remind us of our shortcomings or whose judgment about ourselves we value and desire to influence. In such situations we are and so self-conscious that nosotros cannot give sufficient attention to others. As a issue we may be regarded as being either uncaring or proud. Our feelings of inadequacy forestall united states from reaching out to love and treat others…

Persons with an inadequate self-epitome look to other people's opinions, praise or criticisms as determining factors in how they experience or think about themselves at a particular moment. Persons with a poor sense of self-worth are slaves to the opinions of others. They are non costless to be themselves.³⁷

What we need is a holy boldness and a relaxed confidence based on knowing God and resting in Him while too knowing that we are each His unique creation both physically and spiritually.

But how can we make it at a country of mature spiritual equilibrium? May I propose that this involves a number of things that we need to know, apply, and relate to. There are at to the lowest degree five biblical truths that are needed for a mature concept of one's cocky-epitome. Understanding and relating to these five concepts will enable a person to relax in who they are without fright or pride, or without insecurity or a false sense of pride or arrogance.

Mature Believers accept a Biblical Concept of Their Self-Image

Mature believers derive their sense of self-worth and value from their marriage and co-identification with Jesus Christ in all His fullness, personal gifts, and provision, and from knowing He has a volition and purpose for each believer (cf. Rom. 12:3f; Eph. i:3; two:10; Col. 2:10 with 1 Tim. one:12-15; ane Cor. 15:9-11). Unfortunately, many people perceive themselves according to a portrait they developed early in life from the letters they received from their environment—parents, friends, teachers, etc. These may be good or bad, true or faux, but information technology is this perception that forms the footing of how near people feel near themselves. Office of the maturing process as believers is the power to see ourselves anew according to our new life in Christ, having been recreated according to and in God's epitome for a new kind of life.

4:21 if indeed y'all heard about him and were taught in him simply every bit the truth is in Jesus. 4:22 Yous were taught with reference to your erstwhile life to lay aside the old man who is beingness corrupted in accord with deceitful desires, iv:23 and to exist renewed in the spirit of your mind, iv:24 and to put on the new human who has been created in God's image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth (Eph. 4:21-24).

three:ix Do not lie to one another since y'all take put off the erstwhile homo with its practices three:10 and take been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in cognition co-ordinate to the epitome of the one who created it. 3:11 Hither there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, simply Christ is all and in all (Col. 3:9-11).

(one) The culling to the self-dear of the world or a self-paradigm based on religious or ethnic background or social status is not self-hate or rejection of one's worth or value, simply a recognition of where and how that value is to be derived through God'due south grace to usa in Christ.

(two) The alternative to the world's kind of cocky-esteem (one based on social condition, performance, appearance, religious background, etc.) is non cocky-negation, but an understanding and credence of God's grace and provision for us in Christ which lonely gives u.s.a. truthful meaning and value.

(3) The alternative to the cocky-fulfillment of the earth is non a life of meaninglessness or aimlessness, but a life totally engrossed in God and His purposes so that fulfillment is experienced naturally (or spiritually) through relationship and involvement with God rather than through preoccupation with cocky.

Note the following verses:

• Romans 12:3 teaches the responsibleness to observe, know, and recall rightly with faith about who we are based on the gracious work of God in Christ.
• Genesis 1:26-27 teaches that nosotros are all created in the image of God. This means our lives have special value fifty-fifty though the image has been marred by the fall and sin.
• Psalm 139:12f teaches united states we are each uniquely created according to God's own purpose—warts and all.
• Proverbs 16:one-four, 8 teaches us nigh God'south sovereign and providential hand in each person's life to work out His purposes.
• Ephesians 1:3, 6; 2:10; and Colossians ii:10 teach the fact of God's spiritual re-artistic work in us and for the states in Christ, which includes His complete provision, our spiritual union with Christ, and a special purpose in God's program.
• Romans 12:4f; ane Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:seven; and ane Peter 4:ten teach the fact of our giftedness and capacity to serve as members of the body of Christ. This means each believer is needed and has great value.
• Colossians three:x and 2 Corinthians iii:eighteen teach the responsibleness and the potential as new creations in Christ to be conformed bit-by-fleck to the image of God as revealed in the person of Christ through the Word and the filling (control) of the Holy Spirit. This means nosotros are each earthen vessels, instruments for the celebrity of God with purpose.

What does all this mean? Information technology means these spiritual truths should give every believer a sense of special purpose, a sense of destiny and confidence of God's mitt on his or her life. Such a sense of destiny tin can bulldoze men or women to unbelievable lengths and enable them to achieve unprecedented things for God if they will just grasp and act on these facts of Scripture rather than focus on mankind'due south standards for success or meaning.

Only the problem is that people tend to look at others and their gifts, achievements, and popularity and measure out themselves by what they see in others. We compare people with people. This not only gets our optics on men and off God and His grace and programme, but it creates feelings of inferiority, jealousy, pride, and factions. This leads to a second of import principle in thinking biblically nigh ourselves.

Mature Believers Use the Right Standard (Yardstick) for Judging Success

The Lord Jesus and the principles of Scripture must become our yardstick or the ways by which we measure our value and self-image (cf. i Cor. 3:4-vii; 4:1-5; xv:nine-11; 2 Cor. 10:12; Eph. 4:13). The following set forth a few of the biblical reasons why this is so necessary to take a correct tool of measurement.

(1) Nosotros are instruments of God. Effectiveness is ever a product of God's activity regardless of our labor or methods or cleverness or wisdom (one Cor. 3:4-vii).

(2) What counts with God is faithfulness to His grace! What counts with God is faithfulness in the use of the opportunities, abilities, and ministries that He gives us and non success as information technology is so often measured past men (Luke 12:42; ii Tim. 2:2; ane Cor. 4:i-2).

(3) All that we have is the product of God's Grace. Whatever we accept by way of abilities, talents, ministries, and even opportunities are gifts of God'south grace, fifty-fifty the very breath we describe (Rom. 12:3a; 1 Cor. 15:9-eleven).

(4) Jesus Christ is our standard and goal, not men. As mentioned previously, men may become examples of Christ-likeness, just fifty-fifty then, they become examples simply as they point united states to the Savior as they themselves become like Him (1 Cor. 11:i). Christ, as our standard, is the standard of excellence, only nosotros don't measure this by the opinions and standards of measurement used by the world or men. Nosotros measure it by the precepts of Scripture, the mature moral characteristics of Christ-likeness. Let's notation two central scriptures in this regard:

Ephesians 4:thirteen "…until we all achieve to the unity of the organized religion and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure out of Christ'southward total stature."

Church leaders are to equip the saints (vs. 12) with a view to spiritual maturity in Christ. Just this also points us to the standard, the measure by which nosotros judge true biblical maturity and effectiveness. Note the three goals hither of the edification process of the equipping of the saints. God wants unity and He wants maturity, i.e., spiritually-mature people, but the measure out of that unity and maturity is aught less than the very fullness of the stature of Christ. "Measure" is the Greek metron. Information technology was used of "a standard of measurement, the guess by which something was measured," and "of what was measured out, the portion." For the Christian life, Christ is in essence both our standard for growth and maturity and the portion we experience every bit we grow in Him and go like Him past the grace provisions of God.

i Corinthians four:one-iii "People should remember about the states this way—as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 4:2 Now what is sought in stewards is that i exist found true-blue. So for me, information technology is a pocket-sized matter that I am judged by y'all or by any man court. In fact, I exercise not even estimate myself."

Nosotros should desire to be idea of as only faithful servants and stewards of God. This means we are not to measure ourselves nor permit ourselves to be measured by the standards men so often apply every bit was the case with Corinth. God may apply others in diverse ways to help usa larn and grow in Christ-like standards, but the final examination is Scripture, not the opinions of men.

(v) A correct standard is important to spiritual stability. Having and using a correct standard for effectiveness or success is important to sound spiritual growth, maturity, and effective leadership or ministry. Why? Considering without it you will be measuring yourself, your value, your progress, and success by the standards of men and their response to you. Typically, man's standards are such things as numbers, names, personality, charisma, and the like. This is wrong, it is pure folly. Paul wrote, "For nosotros would not cartel to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding (unwise)" (ii Cor. 10:12). Why is information technology unwise? Because incorrect standards of measurement will harm to our ability to serve and practice our task as unto the Lord for the blessing of others according to the purpose of God (cf. Jer. 1:17-nineteen; i Cor. 4:1-5; with 2 Cor. 10:10 and 6:11-thirteen). The simple principle is that false standards for success always lead to a number of issues that are detrimental to effective ministry and spiritual well beingness.

The following illustrate a few of the problems created past simulated standards of measurement:

• False standards atomic number 82 to simulated motives like selfish ambition and to a spirit of competition wherein we view others equally opponents to beat rather than friends to relish or fellow workers with whom nosotros share piece of work as co-laborers in Christ (Phil. i:17).
• False standards lead to guilt, frustration, depression, and feelings of failure because we recall we haven't measured up to these man-made standards. Nosotros finish up working to please men rather than God (ane Thess. 2:4-6). False standards can besides lead to the opposite—feelings of pride and frequently a false sense of success (ane Tim. 3:6).
• Trying to measure up to human being's standards may also pb to fright of failure which can result in withdrawal. This may cause an unwillingness to effort something or to get involved in ministry building or it can lead to forsaking a ministry. For sure, it tin cause one to lose the joy of ministry or service (2 Tim. ane:6-7).
• Faux standards can lead to cocky depreciation with the belief that we don't count and can't because eastward exercise not measure out up.

Because of a failure to go and stay oriented to God's grace to us in Christ, or because of grace disorientation and the false thinking which naturally follows, many believers end upwardly functioning in ministry out of neurotic needs. They feel inadequate and and so may often serve in some form of ministry to compensate for their bad feelings: to overcome guilt, to get recognition, or simply to feel ameliorate nigh themselves. Others may neglect to function at all because of the aforementioned kinds of feelings. They are agape of failure or of what others might say.

This leads to a handicapped people who are oftentimes divisive and unloving considering they end upwards competing with others and with themselves for a personal sense of significance. This leads to all kinds of spiritual and emotional problems. As a issue, people get around wearing their feelings on their sleeve, they become touchy, difficult to deal with, and incapable of receiving correction or suggestions. To be corrected is to exist belittled or to lose face. So they become more concerned for themselves than they are about Jesus Christ, His celebrity and for others. They become defensive, argumentative, and at the same fourth dimension, fearful.

The problem is grace disorientation (Heb. 12:15). What is grace? It is the name for God's provision for u.s.a. in Christ. The problem is we fail to rest in God'due south grace for our lives, that is, our new life and position in Christ and the principles and promises of the Word along with the filling of the Spirit.

But what are some of the false standards that we oft use like rungs to climb the ladder of success and personal feelings of significance?

• Comparing appearances, abilities or personalities : God does not requite us however abilities, intelligence, aptitude, or personality. I am non to look at some other man's ability or personality and determine that I can or can't take on a detail ministry or responsibleness based on my comparison with him. I am not to think or say, "If I had his mode with words or his personality, then I could…" (cf. Paul [1 Cor 2:1-5; 15:7-11; with 3:1-3 and 2 Cor. x:10], Moses [cf. Ex. iv:x-eleven with Acts 7:22 and God's interpretation]).
• Comparing bank accounts or possessions: Most people get their sense of value and competence from how much they make, from the size of their dwelling, or from the kind of motorcar they drive. Only compare the Lord Jesus (Matt. 8:xx). Coin is never the basis of success nor of our ability to serve God. The amount nosotros earn is but not a barometer of God'due south blessing. God has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith (Ja. ii:four-viii; I Cor. 1:26-thirty).
• Comparison friends or people we know : In talking to some people you wonder if they shouldn't write a book entitled, The Ten Most Of import People Who Have Met Me. Who we know has absolutely no bearing on our success or ministry or leadership abilities unless knowing them has been a means of our learning or an indication of our training and qualifications for a particular ministry building (cf. 1 Tim. ii:2; 2 Tim. 3:14). Merely even then, unless appropriated, it means nothing.
• Comparison results similar nickels, names, and noses: Results tin be a product of God'due south blessing (Acts), but not necessarily. Results tin can also be the production of catering to the whims and fancies of the world that is looking for emotionalism, entertainment, and the sensational (ii Tim. 4:3), or to human manipulation as seen in some of the diverse cult leaders that accept been successful in drawing a big number of people after them.

For an illustration of God's evaluation of success in contrast to human being's evaluation one just needs to compare Numbers 20:viii-12 and Psalm 106:32-33. In the eyes of men Moses was a success considering he got results, simply in God's optics, he, at this point, was a failure. THE ISSUE OF SUCCESS IS E'er OBEDIENCE TO GOD, not pleasing men nor seeking to satisfy man'south whims or standards of success (cf. 1 Thess. 2:4). On the other hand, the results we see tin be negative and considered by men a failure, merely are successful in the purpose and eyes of God. One only needs to compare both Isaiah's and Jeremiah's call and success (Isa. vi; Rom. xi:25 with Isa. 28; 55:11; Jer. 1:17f). Both Isaiah and Jeremiah were told in advance they would not be a success by the world's standards. They were to preach letters of judgment to which Israel would react rather than repent. Function of the reason for their assignment was to give further evidence for God'due south sentence of Israel (cf. Isa. half dozen:9-x; Acts 28:25-28).

As Isaiah 55:eleven shows us, our preaching can be a ways of 'back door evangelism.' God'southward purpose with His Discussion for Isaiah was not positive. It was negative to demonstrate the hardness of Israel's eye and the necessity of judgment. The point is we tin can't ever evaluate spiritual maturity or leadership or our success by names, nickels and noses and certainly not past the methods the world uses for success.

Another illustration is seen in Marker iv with the parable of the soils and the purpose of this parable. The people were wondering why the leaders and the nation as a whole were not responding to the message of Christ. The parables of the soil, the sower, and the seed answer this question. They bear witness that the problem was non in the message (the seed) nor with the messenger (the sower), but in the condition of the soil.

Another illustration is that of ii Timothy iv:9f. Paul had been deserted and was in prison waiting to dice, just he was anything but a failure. He could have very hands begun to feel deplorable for himself, "no i wants to follow me, my men take deserted me; I must be doing something incorrect, I am a failure." But as a mature man in Christ, Paul had a very dissimilar perspective and wrote, "I have fought the expert fight, I have finished the class, I have kept the organized religion; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, volition award to me on that day; and not simply to me, but as well to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4;vii-viii).

In his volume, Failure: the Back Door to Success, Erwin Lutzer tells the following story that provides an excellent analogy of a mature man who derived his sense of significance and self epitome from the Lord rather than from the opinions of people.

A friend of mine who pastored a small church told me how depressing information technology was for him to attend pastors' conferences. There he would endure through the reports of the wonderful success of other churches. It seemed that all churches had either doubled in their membership or tripled their income during the preceding year.

His church, on the other hand, was small and had a history of difficulties. Information technology had problems with bitterness, lament, and factions. On some occasions the pastor was publicly humiliated by irate members. His story (which could be the discipline of an entire volume) reminds u.s.a. that lecherous Christians tin be just equally obstinate every bit worldly pagans.

What did the pastor do? He lived with the corruption. He preached the Scriptures and taught doctrine. Eventually, a few individuals began to show signs of spiritual growth. In the lives of a handful, in that location was fruit. But about of the seed fell by the wayside; information technology was choked by thorns of worldly feet or drowned in the slough of resentment.

When I heard the total story, I said, "Roy, I would not have stayed at that place for a month!" His reply was a rebuke: "I've always wondered if I had love for people. God put me in the near trying situation I could endure. He wanted to teach me how to show love in a place where there was none!"

Was he a success? Not if nickles [sic] and noses are the measuring sticks! Results tin be a barometer of God'due south blessing just not necessarily.³⁸

A spirit of comparison, whether it involves comparing others with others or ourselves with others, is biblically defined as carnal, worldly, immature, and tin can even be devilish (meet 1 Cor. 3:1ff; Jam. iii:14-16). It leads but to hurt and harm, failure and malfunction.

Finally, Peter's response to the Lord's revelation regarding Peter's future and the Lord's response to Peter's question about John's time to come in John 21:eighteen-22 provides united states of america another illustration of our tendency to make false comparisons or question God's dealing with united states in comparison to His dealing with others. Our trend is to wait at others and wonder, "Why me? Why do I take to face this trial while other believers practice non?" Or "Why doesn't God do with me what He is doing with so and so?" Just the point is, "If God wishes to bless others more than us, if they are famous and nosotros are unknown, if they are wealthy and nosotros are poor, if they are highly gifted and nosotros are less gifted (at least past men's standards) what is that to us? Christ calls upon each of usa to trust and follow Him. As long equally we are pursuing the Savior with all our heart and doing our best in accord with His supply, our responsibleness is to merely follow the Lord.

The concluding words of our Lord in John 21 form an of import bulletin for all believers and specially for leaders. Nosotros must follow Him AND leave the results to Him also. God is sovereign and we are His creatures. We are tools of His grace.

Mature Believers Alive by Religion in Biblical Truths

(ane) They volition act on the truth of their identity in Christ. The Bible teaches us that every Christian is created in God's prototype (Gen. one:26,27), that each believer is uniquely and personally crafted by God from the womb (Ps. 139:12f), that each believer in Christ, has been recreated and is a new spiritual creation in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17), and that through faith in Christ, every Christian is a child of God by the new birth (John 1:12-13; 3:three-half dozen; ane Pet. 1:3, 23; Jam. 1:18). What a marvelous identity and heritage! Such a heritage means value beyond compare regardless of the responses of others or of the opinions of men.

(two) They will residue and deed on the fact of their God-given abilities—natural talents and spiritual gifts. In Psalm 139:1-12, the psalmist declared his faith in the Lord's knowledge of all the details of his life. Yet, the Lord not simply knows and perceives the nature and needs of his people in general, but the psalmist believed in God'due south personal purpose for his life. God is not merely the Sovereign Creator, the Transcendent One, simply He is besides the Immanent One who is intimately concerned with the individuals He has created even from the womb and before!

In poetry 13, the psalmist continues the emphasis on God's personal involvement by an emphatic utilise of the pronoun "you" and by the utilize of the pronominal prefixes and suffixes to the verbs and nouns in the Hebrew text, which are translated past the English pronouns "yous" and "your." Past God'south personal involvement, each individual is the result of the artistic work of God (spiritually and physically) in the womb. The psalmist declares "You created my inmost beingness (the spiritual attribute)" and "y'all knit me together in my mother's womb" (the physical aspect, cf. Job viii-11; Jer i:5). All beings owe their existence, including their individual gifts and abilities, to God equally the Sovereign Creator. Reflecting on the reality of this truth had a tremendous touch on the life of the psalmist. He knew that the Lord had formed him as a unique person with gifts and abilities according to God's sovereign purposes.

In verses 14-17, therefore, the psalmist personally responds to this crawly truth of God's immanent involvement in his very being. Interim on this truth and realizing the distinctiveness this gave to his life, the psalmist properly responded with praise to God for his life.

139:fourteen I will give you thanks, considering your deeds are awesome and astonishing. You knew me thoroughly, 15 my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in hugger-mugger, and sewed together in the depths of the earth.sixteen Your eyes saw me when I was a fetus. All the days ordained for me were recorded in your ringlet before ane of them came into beingness. 17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts well-nigh me, O God! How vast are their sum full! (Cyberspace Bible)

Compare likewise Romans 12:3f; 1 Corinthians 12:4-5; and 1 Pet.4:10.

(3) They will act on the fact of God'south purpose and the nature of this life. Such creative activity and personal interest by God naturally includes a purpose for our being in a given place and time in history. Regarding the response of the psalmist in Psalm 139:14f, VanGemeren writes:

…God is concerned with the individuals whom he has formed for his purpose. Therefore praise is the proper response to God'due south grace of discernment, perception, and purpose. The kid of God sees God's presence everywhere (vv. 7-12) and experiences the joy of God's watchful center over him. All of God'southward "works" are "wonderful," merely the laic senses more whatever other part of God'southward creation that he is "fearfully and wonderfully fabricated." Though God's grace to him is like a "knowledge ... too wonderful for" him (vs. six), he lives with a personal awareness of God's gracious purpose ("I know that full well"). The psalmist reveals a unique sensation of God's grace toward him and responds with a hymn of thanksgiving ("I praise you").

…The idea of purpose comes more than conspicuously to expression in v. 16. The Lord's writing in the book (cf. 51:i; 69:28) refers to God'due south knowledge and blessing of his child "all the days" of his life (cf. Eph ii:10). His life was written in the book of life, and each of his days was numbered.³⁹

This element of God'south purpose for united states is also seen in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand then nosotros may practice them." Merely put, God has a special purpose for each of us: no i is excluded. While some aspects of His purpose are the same for all of us (to glorify the Lord and alive for Him, etc.), this includes a special destiny for each person according to the way God has gifted and brought usa into this earth.

But the nature of this life, who we are in Christ (blessed with every spiritual approving and consummate in Him, Eph. 1:iii; Col. 2:x), and our ultimate destiny every bit believers in Christ should impact how we view who we are every bit individuals.

1 Peter 1:fifteen-17 And if you address as Male parent the one who impartially judges co-ordinate to each ane's piece of work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.

1 Peter two:11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that practise boxing confronting the soul,

If nosotros truly know and act on WHO we are in Christ, WHY we are here (as ambassador sojourners), and WHERE we are going (our eternal destiny), we should exist able to balance and relax while reaching out to serve and dear people regardless of the success of others or of the response we get. This ways living out of the fullness of Christ and our unique: (a) a new identity in him, (b) the spiritual ability that comes through him, (c) God's individual purpose for each believer considering of him, (d) and the heavenly and imperishable rewards that come up from him. Notation the apostle'southward sense of this in the following verses even though he was being maligned and compared with others.

four:ane People should remember almost united states this way—as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. four:2 At present what is sought in stewards is that i be constitute faithful. 4:3 So for me, it is a modest matter that I am judged by you or by any human being court. In fact, I do not even approximate myself. iv:4 For I am not aware of annihilation against myself, merely I am not acquitted because of this. The 1 who judges me is the Lord. iv:5 So and so, practice not gauge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to low-cal the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God (1 Cor. 4:ane-5).

Mature believers who know who they are in Christ, why they are here, where their strength lies, where they are going, and their ultimate destiny and reward—problems that are to exist settled in i's heart by faith—volition no longer be dependent on man's standards of success or on the response of others for their happiness or sense of identity or value. Why? Because they are comprehending and accepting past faith the value God places on their lives.

And so, do nosotros take an identity crisis every time nosotros are challenged, questioned, or rejected in some way, or when we hear of the success of a fellow laic, or fail to see the success nosotros await or desire? If so, Why? Maybe because we are (a) seeking our sense of well being from the response of others or (b) from always wanting to be correct, or (c) from our ain evaluation of our success based on the standards of men. Could it be because we are dependent on the responses of others or our visualization of that response to: How practise I look (appearance)? How do I do (performance)? Or how important am I (condition or position)?

Such a perspective is non only immature, only information technology will ruin u.s.a. for ministry. It will turn us from the retainer to the served. This is why men often human action authoritatively or why some are afraid to delegate jobs or responsibilities or why some become prima donnas.

In John 13:1f nosotros encounter Christ knew who He was, why He was hither, and where He was going. Though rejected by men, these three things, "Who," "Why," and "Where" formed the mental foundation for organized religion and for His ability to love and serve others. He never sought His sense of identity from men or from the typical comparisons of the world.

Retrieve of this: Christ left the eternal celebrity of the Male parent to suffer the ultimate humiliation of a shameful human death. Yet, He never complained because He had to carelessness the glory that the other two members of the Trinity retained. If He had compared His role in redemption with those of the Father and the Holy spirit, He might take felt cheated. Why should He—equal with the other two members—be the one to get the scum of the globe?.

If Christ had compared Himself with other men (remember, He was fully human), He might have thought that He should exist the greatest of them. Still (incredibly) He became the lowest of them! When the disciples were wondering who would perform the duties of a household retainer, Christ took a towel and basin of h2o and washed their feet!

How could the ane who was then high stoop and then low? One reason is that He did not compare Himself with others but cared only nearly meeting the standard that the Father had ordained. "I please to practise thy will, O my God" (KJV). That's all that mattered."⁴⁰

By the earth'due south standards, Christ was a miserable failure. He was born in a cow stall, raised in the despicable little town of Nazareth, unschooled in the accepted schools of the day, lived without money and without a home of His own, was tried and crucified equally a criminal, and died naked with the Roman soldiers casting lots for His robe, His just possession.

At present, an of import question to ponder: What is one of surest signs of mature spirituality? It is possessing the eye and mind of a servant. But servanthood is impossible if nosotros are comparing ourselves competitively with others and seeking our sense of well beingness and success by comparing ourselves with other men. When that occurs, we are seeking to be served by our surround—indeed by our own service.

To be an effective and mature servant, we also must know who we are, we must take an identity derived from God and His standards, and we must know why we are here, and have a sense of God'south destiny and purpose for our lives. We must serve with a view to doing God's will no affair what, and with a view to heavenly treasures and rewards, non those based on human comparisons (1 Cor. 4:1-five; ii Cor. 10:12).

In regard to our cocky concept and maturity, leadership, and ministry, spiritually mature believers also live in view of another vital biblical principle.

(4) They will accept a loftier God-conviction level; Christ's presence and provision becomes the source of their lives and ministry. Knowing who we are, what nosotros can do and can't do is important, but above all we must have conviction in the Lord followed by boldness to motion ahead. This is of import to the servant himself and to those to whom he ministers (Phil. 4:xiii; i Cor. 3:6f; 4:1-v; two Cor. 2:14f). None of us are ever sufficient in ourselves regardless of who nosotros are, regardless of our training, our physical qualities, our spiritual maturity, or our gifts and talents. This is wonderfully illustrated in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16; three:4-6, and 2 Corinthians 12:nine-10. These passages remind u.s.a. that God may utilize our abilities, as He used Paul's grooming and neat mind—both gifts of God—but sometimes He gives the states weaknesses and then works though us anyway to demonstrate His grace and ability.

(5) They will seek to notice and correct those weaknesses that tin be corrected. While all believers have God-given gifts and abilities, they as well accept weaknesses. Some of these tin be inverse and some cannot. Role of spiritual maturity is discovering those that can be inverse and then seeking to right them by the grace of God while learning to live with those that cannot be inverse. God made u.s. the way we are, not in our sinfulness, but in our basic makeup as to physical and intellectual limitations and as to our gifts and talents (Ex. iv:ten-13; John ix:1f; Rom. 12:3, 4; ane Pet. 4:x; Ps. 139:14, xv).

How should knowing this concept impact i's life? This doesn't mean that we are to take sin every bit a manner of life or sinful tendencies, habits, or mediocrity. It ways we are to do the best we can with what God has given us (1 Cor. 15:ix-10). It means nosotros should exist satisfied with our all-time and never covet some other man'due south greater ability. However, we should seek to change what tin be changed through the grace of God and according to the standards of the Word, not the globe.

For instance, if I am physically out of shape so that I tin't become upward a flight of stairs without breathing hard, I should get in shape through the proper practice and diet. If I can ameliorate my heed by written report for the celebrity of God and to heighten my ability to serve Him, I should. If I am in school and I can make A's, I should, but if, after difficult work, consistency, and faithfulness, I end upwardly with C's, then I need to thank God and move on. I should not sit around and mope because of my disability or another person'south ability.

Understanding this concept should lead to at least four of import steps:

• Nosotros demand to thank God for who we are, unique and distinct with a message to unfold (Eph. 2:10; Ps. 139:14; Rom. 12:3; 1 Pet. iv:10).
• Nosotros should seek to know our strengths and develop our abilities to the fullest degree. In other words, we demand to be all that we can be according to the creative and providential work of God in our lives. Recall, we are each the product of: (a) God'due south creative handiwork, (b) His providential management and provision, and (c) our response to Him. For God's providence and provision compare Proverbs 16:1f; Mark iv:eight,xx; and ane Corinthians 3:v-7 For man's Responsibility compare Colossians 3:17,23; 1 Corinthians ten:31; 15:10; and ii Chronicles 31:20-21.
• We should seek to right and change in our life what can be corrected equally good stewards of God's grace and according to the directives and standards of the Word.
• We need to accept those things that cannot be changed, trust the Lord's design, and apply the strengths of others in the body of Christ. No one should never try to exist a 1-man prove.

The things nosotros cannot change: Some weaknesses or deficiencies nosotros can't change; these are not moral issues or problems of sin. Rather, these are what we can call the unchangeables . In that location are certain things in our lives that we cannot alter and from which we may inherit certain limitations (cf. 1 Cor. 2:1f; 2 Cor. 12:5-ten). They include: ancestors, time in history, race, national heritage, gender, family, physical features, mental abilities (natural aptitudes, mental limitations, and talents), concrete size, abilities and handicaps, and aging and death.

The things we can change: These we will call the changeables and include things that we can practice something about. In some cases these become problems in 1's spiritual life while in other cases they are not issues at all. Where they are an consequence and hinder one's walk with the Lord or capacity to minister, they become issues for modify. The changeables include: weight, physical condition, concrete strength, spiritual character or maturity, knowledge and its utilise, wearing apparel, posture, attitudes and viewpoint, facial expressions, habits or patterns, and skill, etc. Obviously, anything that is clearly reverse to the Word or the moral volition of God is sin and needs to be dealt with by God's grace (Rom. 6:1f; Eph. iv:22f; Col. 1:9f; iii:4f; Proverbs., Ps. 119).

Determination

There are two large problems that face us as we seek to appropriate this mark of a Christian maturity:

(1) Our pride—the spirit of covetousness and the desire for public recognition, fame, applause. Allow's face it. This is a spiritual consequence. Information technology is basically an unwillingness to rest in God'south purposes for our lives and an unwillingness to wait for His evaluation (1 Cor. 4:3-v; Prov. three:3-6; Ps. 37:4-6).

(two) Human'southward yardstick and scale of values. This has always been a problem even in the church as we see in one Corinthians 3 and 4 and in 2 Corinthians 10:10-12, just it has become an fifty-fifty greater threat and problem in our day because of the mediums of modern advice and the neat notoriety that men so often receive. Nosotros face the "superstar syndrome" and people brainstorm to compare their leaders and their churches past those of the superstars. The yardstick they utilize is far too often not that of the Word, merely that of the earth.

Naturally, this often results in (a) discouragement—I couldn't make a dent, I am not skilful enough or smart enough, (b) apathy—why try, I could never compare with then and so, (c) fear—I would neglect. I simply can't measure up to people's expectations, (d) pride in self or other people, the fan club syndrome—"I am of so and so" (run into 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:iv) and (e) divisions, cliques (i Cor. 1:11f).

Once again I would call our attending to the campaigner Paul every bit an illustration of a spiritually mature leader who knew who he was in Christ, why he was hither and where he was going. As a consequence, he was always able to minister to others as a mature retainer in the most difficult of circumstances as is so conspicuously axiomatic from the following passages.

1 Corinthians 4:ane People should call back about us this way—every bit servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 4:2 Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. 4:three So for me, it is a minor affair that I am judged past you or by any human being court. In fact, I exercise not even judge myself. four:four For I am not enlightened of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The 1 who judges me is the Lord. 4:5 So and so, do not approximate anything before the fourth dimension. Look until the Lord comes. He will bring to calorie-free the subconscious things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. And then each will receive recognition from God.

4:6 I have applied these things to myself and Barnabas considering of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us y'all may larn "not to get beyond what is written," and so that none of yous volition be puffed upwards in favor of the one against the other. 4:7 For who concedes you whatsoever superiority? What do you lot accept that yous did not receive? And if you received it, why practice you avowal as though you did not? iv:8 Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! Y'all have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that nosotros could reign with yous! 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles terminal of all, as men condemned to die, because we have go a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 4:ten Nosotros are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! iv:11 To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated and without a roof over our heads. iv:12 We do hard work, toiling with our ain hands. When nosotros are verbally abused, nosotros respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, 4:13 when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now.

two Corinthians 10:12 For we would non dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 10:13 But we will non boast across certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the piece of work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you lot. 10:xiv For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because nosotros were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel near Christ. 10:fifteen Nor exercise nosotros avowal beyond certain limits in the work washed by others, just nosotros promise that equally your organized religion continues to grow, our piece of work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits, x:sixteen then that nosotros may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person's surface area.10:17 But " The one who boasts must avowal in the Lord ." x:18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is canonical, merely the person the Lord commends.

i Thessalonians ii:i For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you: information technology has non proven to exist purposeless. two:2 Merely although nosotros suffered before and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the backbone in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition. 2:3 For the appeal we make does not come from mistake or impurity or with deceit, 2:iv but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, non to please people simply God, who examines our hearts. ii:5 For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— two:half dozen nor to seek celebrity from people, either from you or from others, 2:7 although we could have imposed our weight equally apostles of Christ. Just we were lilliputian children among you—like a nursing mother caring for her own children.

---

Appendix: Discussion Questions for Marks of Maturity

MEN vii/52 is a men'due south ministry of bible.org. Our want is to see all men go true followers of Jesus Christ 7 days a week/52 weeks a year.

These studies were developed in a team preparation environment where men were being trained for their role as church leaders, as fathers, and as effective members of a society that desperately needs to see what authentic, biblical Christianity looks like. And then, exactly what does a mature Christian await like? A mature Christian is a laic whose life begins to take on the graphic symbol of Christ-likeness. Merely what exactly is that? What are the specific qualities that mark out a person every bit Christ-like? This is the focus and indicate of this report.

The qualities that should characterize Christian leaders are also the marks of spiritual maturity every bit described in the Bible. While all of the qualities that will exist discussed in this series are non unique to Christianity and are often promoted and taught in the secular world, many of them are, past their very nature, distinctive to the Bible or biblical Christianity. Thus, the characteristics that should mark out a Christian leader are also the marks of biblical maturity which are in essence the product of true spirituality. In fact, biblical spirituality can be described by the term maturity since Christian maturity is the result of growth produced by the ministry of the Spirit in the light of the Give-and-take over time. It is this biblical/spiritual element, at least in part, that makes the marks of Christian leadership distinctively Christian.

Session 5

ane. Draw the paradox that the discipline of self-image creates?

2. What is the outcome of acting "in harmony with our mental self-portrait"?

3. Two key things are needed if we are to effectively atomic number 82 or minister to others. What are they?

4. Why is thinking in these terms so of import?

5. List the five biblical truths that are needed for a mature concept of one'southward self-epitome.

half-dozen. What are the iii alternatives to worldly cocky-love, self-esteem, and self-fulfillment?

7. Draw, in your ain words, the biblical concept of your self-image.

8. How does this differ from your actual self-paradigm? Please be specific.

9. What are the 5 points that incorporate a biblical standard for judging success?

10. Using the Scripture passages in the text, describe how each of these points are an integral role of your measurement of your successes.

11. What happens when we use the wrong standards of measurement?

12. Depict the four results that are the consequences of using false standards of measurement?

xiii. In what areas of your life do you use false standards every bit a measurement of your effectiveness and success? Please exist specific.

14. What are the 4 false standards identified in the text that we often use to measure our personal feelings of significance?

15. Describe the circumstances in your life where yous utilise these standards to measure your personal significance. Again, delight be specific.

xvi. What are the five marks that identify a mature laic who lives past faith in biblical truths?

17. Please describe the post-obit in particular:

• Your identity in Christ:
• Your God-given abilities, talents, and gifts:
• God's purpose for you in this life:
• Your God-conviction level:
• Your process of discovering and correcting your correctable weaknesses:

18. What iv steps are necessary for discovering and correcting your weaknesses?

Group Give-and-take

What must nosotros do, first now, to find and right the 2 problems we confront in having a true biblical concept of ourselves? How must we help each other in this process?

• Our pride – the sprit of covetousness and the desire for public recognition, fame, and adulation;
• Man's yardstick and scale of values.

davisthatent.blogspot.com

Source: https://bible.org/seriespage/mark-4-biblical-concept-oneself

Share this post