“For
through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more
highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound
judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” – Rom 12:3
Discussion
Have to wonder today, with so many people walking
around with heads swollen from massive egos whether or not the world is big
enough for them all. You have politicians who have decided they know what is
best for everyone. Educators who have basically inculcated into the minds in
their class if the instructor wanted their opinion the Instructor would give it
to them. Entertainment idols who have taken to using violent verbiage fluffing
out their feathers, blowing themselves up into some huge figure in their minds,
joining the cacophony of others like them telling anyone who listens what is
best for them and the world. Religious leaders and their followers convinced
they have the ‘true’ religion, or, all you have to do to have your way with GOD
is just “Claim it” or speak with authoritative BOLDNESS to make sure GOD is on the
same page. Others just decide they would rather kill you then look at you
because you do not share their beliefs. All of this could be overwhelming, if
it was the only examples of humanity the world over. Yet, the true humility of so
many all around the globe is such a refreshing experience to see and know it nullifies
the arrogance of those who think they are bigger than life. All of a sudden in
walks the Apostle Paul. I know, the man has been gone from earth for nearly 2 millennia
but if you are an avid student of the Bible, his words just make him appear
right there in your mind. Time for an attitude and altitude change. ‘Not to
think more highly of himself than he ought to think.’ In other words, don’t
live as though you are a legend in your own mind.
While the above scripture is written to the church
in Rome, at another time the church in Corinth received a letter, a second one
to the same congregation, and in chapter eleven Paul is concerned at the seeming
gullibility of the church members. They had heard and believed in the gospel a
few years back when first they heard Paul. After he left them, he received word
that there was some unseemly sexual activity happening between a son and his
father’s wife that the church was aware of but did nothing to stop. Paul wrote
a strongly worded letter on how they had to handle the situation and apparently
they did because in his second letter to the same church he told them to bring
some comfort to the individual by forgiving him before he was overwhelmed in grief
to spare the individual such sorrow he’d become an easy target for Satan.
At the same time, further along in the letter, he
begins to address the change in the church membership. According to chapter
eleven there had been an element of an unfamiliar gospel, not THE GOSPEL, but
another. Because those who introduced the different gospel were apparently well
spoken, considering themselves ‘eminent’ others say ‘super fine apostles’ the
church members seemed to have allowed themselves to be seduced away from the
very gospel Paul brought to them. He acknowledged that he was ‘unskilled’ in
speech but was certainly knowledgeable. He expressed that he was thorough in
his teaching them the gospel. He said this in verse 6b: “indeed we made it
clear to you in every way and in everything.” He spent the rest of chapter
eleven itemizing his walk with the Lord. From beatings, to shipwreck, to hours
in the sea, to being beat, danger from nature, from robbers, from his own
people, from nations, wilderness…etc. In other words, he is one man who could
honestly say the world was absolutely against him. World being all the
elements, animals, serpents, people. He struggled to fulfill his calling as an
apostle to the gentiles. And beyond that in chapter 12 he admits he has an
ailment or condition that causes him much pain – he referred to it as a thorn
in the flesh from an angel of Satan as a reminder not to think more of himself
than he ought to. Three different times he prayed to the Lord, he said begged
the Lord, to remove the issue but instead he basically was told to live with
it. Yet, not so bluntly. In fact, this is what was said: “My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2Cor 12:9 --That
is quite a statement would you not agree? What was Paul’s response? Remember, 3
times he begged for the Lord to remove the problem. He had an absolutely
wonderful response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” If only we could have the humility
and love to fully embrace the same attitude! In the end Paul, though frustrated
was concerned the peace of GOD would somehow be replaced in the Corinth Church with ‘debates,
envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults’ [2Cor
12:20c] which of course could divide what may have been a solid church.
Not to be thinking more of ourselves than we ought
does put a check on our ego and arrogance. When we think of the Sovereign Creator,
when we think upon the impossible life, torture and death of our Lord, when we
ponder HIS resurrection to life again – the mighty works HE filled the gospel
accounts with, who and how are we bigger than we truly are? Thinking far more
of ourselves than we truly have cause to think. If you haven’t a clue how to back
your ego down, spend some time reading Job’s attitude adjustment by GOD in
chapters 35-42. First, a young man was sent to Job to begin to remind Job of
things he already knew but due to his illness and tremendous loss he’d lost
sight of. He’d gotten caught up in full grief with a little self-pity, AND
REALLY, who wouldn’t feel that way, but it was not Job’s usual character. Elihu
begins to move Job to open his eyes to see outside himself. What a terrific
journey, a humbling interaction with his GOD, a complete deflation of who Job had
become - a way to finally be finished with the test and after acknowledging his
disrespect -- the healing of all things not just his body.
Hopefully, we can read this often as time passes
and our best efforts give way to routine. Though we understand it is far more desirable
to be humble, though we understand we need to truly pray and study and work
through our pride and try to discover humility, we wind up back in the same
mind, heart and way we were. But now in the back of our mind, where Holy Spirit
has seared a lesson for us to ponder, we feel a nagging to make the change. So,
let it be for you, to calendar time to pray, read the Bible, think about what
you read, think about Job, about Paul, about other Christians you know who seem
so very loving and humble and let GOD lead you to the place you want to be. Reminders
in places your eyes fall every day ‘to not think more of yourself than you
ought to’ will be helpful. May the grace
of GOD, the ONE whose mercies are ever refreshing, be with you in all you do in
honor of HIM.
NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or
feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source
of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to
get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself
trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with
HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John
3:16
“Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He
may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached
to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until
the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the
mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began.” –
Acts 3:19-20
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when
he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is
born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of
God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you,
‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you
hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So
is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8
DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this
blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the
writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the
reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s
intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does.
“For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any
double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing
in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and
laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12
[NIV]
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