The point is we canât always evaluate spiritual maturity or leadership or our success by names, nickels and noses and certainly not by the methods the world uses for success. 28; 55:11; Jer. Regardless, the sound thinking Paul is calling for is grounded in biblical revelation and faith in the work of God for us in Christ. God is sovereign and we are His creatures. Two key things are needed if we are to effectively lead or minister to others. I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! What a marvelous identity and heritage! 10:12). This doesnât mean that we are to accept sin as a way of life or sinful tendencies, habits, or mediocrity. Such a heritage means value beyond compare regardless of the responses of others or of the opinions of men. Then each will receive recognition from God (1 Cor. This may cause an unwillingness to try something or to get involved in ministry or it can lead to forsaking a ministry. This is a spiritual issue. We must serve with a view to doing Godâs will no matter what, and with a view to heavenly treasures and rewards, not those based on human comparisons (1 Cor. How vast are their sum total! There are certain things in our lives that we cannot change and from which we may inherit certain limitations (cf. Q. What does it mean that there is a proper time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1â8)? The psalmist reveals a unique awareness of Godâs grace toward him and responds with a hymn of thanksgiving (âI praise youâ). In John 13:1f we see Christ knew who He was, why He was here, and where He was going. Unfortunately, many people perceive themselves according to a portrait they developed early in life from the messages they received from their environmentâparents, friends, teachers, etc. This discussion must take into account the biblical description of the Curse as given in Genesis 3:14â19, as well as other scriptural allusions to the effects of sin and its effects on the created order. Others may fail to function at all because of the same kinds of feelings. How must we help each other in this process? He preached the Scriptures and taught doctrine. And that influences our social life, our job performance, our relationships with others.â36. 4:1-5). Jer. What are the three alternatives to worldly self-love, self-esteem, and self-fulfillment? It means these spiritual truths should give every believer a sense of special purpose, a sense of destiny and conviction of Godâs hand on his or her life. Though rejected by men, these three things, âWho,â âWhy,â and âWhereâ formed the mental foundation for faith and for His ability to love and serve others. Is the problem one of low self-esteem or a collection, indeed, a barrage of self-centered thoughts rather than biblical God-centered thoughts about who we are and how we fit into the plan of God? Why do I have to face this trial while other believers do not?â Or âWhy doesnât God do with me what He is doing with so and so?â But the point is, âIf God wishes to bless others more than us, if they are famous and we are unknown, if they are wealthy and we are poor, if they are highly gifted and we are less gifted (at least by menâs standards) what is that to us? This not only gets our eyes on men and off God and His grace and plan, but it creates feelings of inferiority, jealousy, pride, and factions. If I am in school and I can make Aâs, I should, but if, after hard work, consistency, and faithfulness, I end up with Câs, then I need to thank God and move on. 1:12; 3:4) and (e) divisions, cliques (1 Cor. Paulâs spiritual maturity and qualification as a leader is seen in his freedom to serve others because, resting in who he was in Christ as a servant called of God by grace, he was not seeking to protect a poor self-image or to impress men with his greatness (cf. In both passages, Romans 12:3 and 2 Timothy 1:7, the context deals with Godâs gifts to us and the bold expression of those gifts in loving ministry for the sake of the body of Christ. 2:2; 1 Cor. Understanding and relating to these five concepts will enable a person to relax in who they are without fear or pride, or without insecurity or a false sense of pride or arrogance. 1:17). We should seek to correct and change in our life what can be corrected as good stewards of Godâs grace and according to the directives and standards of the Word. 15:9-11). 3:2, 4). Note the apostleâs sense of this in the following verses even though he was being maligned and compared with others. A spirit of comparison, whether it involves comparing others with others or ourselves with others, is biblically defined as carnal, worldly, immature, and can even be devilish (see 1 Cor. We are tools of His grace. Hampton wrote many articles for the Biblical Studies Foundation and on... More. (2) Manâs yardstick and scale of values. (3) All that we have is the product of Godâs Grace. What is the result of acting âin harmony with our mental self-portraitâ? Knowing who we are, what we can do and canât do is important, but above all we must have confidence in the Lord followed by boldness to move ahead. However, the Lord not only knows and perceives the nature and needs of his people in general, but the psalmist believed in Godâs personal purpose for his life. Another illustration is seen in Mark 4 with the parable of the soils and the purpose of this parable. Eventually, a few individuals began to show signs of spiritual growth. In what areas of your life do you use false standards as a measurement of your effectiveness and success? In fact, I do not even judge myself. False standards can also lead to the oppositeâfeelings of pride and often a false sense of success (1 Tim. 1:3; Col. 2:10), and our ultimate destiny as believers in Christ should impact how we view who we are as individuals. But we were little children among youâlike a nursing mother caring for her own children. Think of this: Christ left the eternal glory of the Father to suffer the ultimate humiliation of a shameful human death. 4:1 People should think about us this wayâas servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In both Testaments the idea of blasphemy as something that offends the religious sensibilities of others is completely absent. Introduction Any treatment of Christian doctrine would be incomplete if the biblical statement concerning sin were omitted. Psalm 139:12f teaches us we are each uniquely created according to Godâs own purposeâwarts and all. 4:2 Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. Q. But is this statement really true? What does it mean that we have eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)? 4:4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. Colossians 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 teach the responsibility and the potential as new creations in Christ to be conformed bit-by-bit to the image of God as revealed in the person of Christ through the Word and the filling (control) of the Holy Spirit. Part of the reason for their assignment was to give further evidence for Godâs judgement of Israel (cf. He lived with the abuse. But what are some of the false standards that we often use like rungs to climb the ladder of success and personal feelings of significance? He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Such a sense of destiny can drive 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 mankindâs standards for success or meaning. 10. Romans 12:3 teaches the responsibility to discover, know, and think rightly with faith about who we are based on the gracious work of God in Christ. Having and using a right standard for effectiveness or success is important to sound spiritual growth, maturity, and effective leadership or ministry. âI delight to do thy will, O my Godâ (KJV). 10:12). If so, Why? Yet (incredibly) He became the lowest of them! The changeables include: weight, physical condition, physical strength, spiritual character or maturity, knowledge and its use, dress, posture, attitudes and viewpoint, facial expressions, habits or patterns, and skill, etc. False standards lead to guilt, frustration, depression, and feelings of failure because we think we havenât measured up to these man-made standards. We end up working to please men rather than God (1 Thess. 1 Corinthians 4:1 People should think about us this wayâas servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. There is no Hebrew word equivalent to the English "blasphemy, " and the Greek root blasphem-, which is used fifty-five times in the New Testament, has a wide meaning. 4:12 We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. However, we should seek to change what can be changed through the grace of God and according to the standards of the Word, not the world. 10:12; Eph. 12:3a; 1 Cor. Persons with a poor sense of self-worth are slaves to the opinions of others. (5) They will seek to discover and correct those weaknesses that can be corrected. It is possessing the heart and mind of a servant. Is âeat, drink, and be merryâ a biblical concept? He wanted to teach me how to show love in a place where there was none!â, Was he a success? So how do we hit a proper balance? 2:10; Ps. You knew me thoroughly, 15 my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and sewed together in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw me when I was a fetus. 9. 4:7 For who concedes you any superiority? The simple principle is that false standards for success always lead to a number of problems that are detrimental to effective ministry and spiritual well being. (3) The alternative to the self-fulfillment of the world is not 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 self. phren, âthe heart, the mind, or the inner man.â This is why men often act authoritatively or why some are afraid to delegate jobs or responsibilities or why some become prima donnas. Obviously, anything that is clearly contrary to the Word or the moral will of God is sin and needs to be dealt with by Godâs grace (Rom. 3. 11:1). All the days ordained for me were recorded in your scroll before one of them came into existence. 1:3, 23; Jam. 4:21 if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him just as the truth is in Jesus. 17. Whatever we have by way of abilities, talents, ministries, and even opportunities are gifts of Godâs grace, even the very breath we draw (Rom. 8. We must follow Him AND leave the results to Him as well. Our tendency is to look at others and wonder, âWhy me? The concept of sin is complex, and the terminology large and varied so that it may be best to look at the reality of sin in the Pentateuch first, then reflect theologically. Why? No one should never try to be a one-man show. The yardstick they use is far too often not that of the Word, but that of the world. 12: 3f; 2 Tim. What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? 2:1-6). 4:5 So then, do not judge anything before the time. It means we are to look at ourselves through the lenses of Scripture. sophronismos from was a 1966 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and a former pastor of 28 years. 1 Peter 1:15-17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each oneâs work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. It seemed that all churches had either doubled in their membership or tripled their income during the preceding year. Describe the circumstances in your life where you use these standards to measure your personal significance. In verses 14-17, therefore, the psalmist personally responds to this awesome truth of Godâs immanent involvement in his very being. But it is true that having a right (biblical) self-concept or thinking properly about ourselves in the light of Godâs grace is important to spiritual maturity, to healthy spiritual lives, and effective ministry. It was negative to demonstrate the hardness of Israelâs heart and the necessity of judgment. A mature Christian is a believer whose life begins to take on the character of Christ-likeness. 3:4-7; 4:1-5; 15:9-11; 2 Cor. God is not only the Sovereign Creator, the Transcendent One, but He is also the Immanent One who is intimately concerned with the individuals He has created even from the womb and before! Some examples are: Love Yourself, The Art of Learning to Love Yourself, Loving Yourselves, Celebrate Yourself, Youâre Someone Special, Self Esteem: Youâre Better than You Think, and probably the best known of all, Self Esteem: The New Reformation, by Robert Schuler. What we need is a holy boldness and a relaxed confidence based on knowing God and resting in Him while also knowing that we are each His unique creation both physically and spiritually. Using the Scripture passages in the text, describe how each of these points are an integral part of your measurement of your successes. 3:9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 3:10 and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. The subject of our self-concept or self-image creates a kind of paradox. 2:1f; 2 Cor. Others argue for the legitimate use of psychology maintaining it is a science and thus legitimate. Genesis 1:26-27 teaches that we are all created in the image of God. 1 Thess. Where they are an issue and hinder oneâs walk with the Lord or capacity to minister, they become issues for change. Job 8-11; Jer 1:5). 4;7-8). 139:14 I will give you thanks, because your deeds are awesome and amazing. In the eyes of men Moses was a success because he got results, but in Godâs eyes, he, at this point, was a failure. Such creative activity and personal involvement by God naturally includes a purpose for our being in a given place and time in history. 7-12) and experiences the joy of Godâs watchful eye over him. The parables of the soil, the sower, and the seed answer this question. The Lord Jesus and the principles of Scripture must become our yardstick or the means by which we measure our value and self-image (cf. What's actually biblical about this saying is that because Christ stepped in, you sowed sin but reaped life. If we donât like the kind of person we are, we think no one else likes us either. We should desire to be thought of as simply faithful servants and stewards of God. Acting on this truth and realizing the distinctiveness this gave to his life, the psalmist properly responded with praise to God for his life. You ⦠You sowed judgment but reaped forgiveness. For an illustration of Godâs evaluation of success in contrast to manâs evaluation one only needs to compare Numbers 20:8-12 and Psalm 106:32-33. Church leaders are to equip the saints (vs. 12) with a view to spiritual maturity in Christ. â¦The idea of purpose comes more clearly to expression in v. 16. 139:14, 15). Again, please be specific. As Isaiah 55:11 shows us, our preaching can be a means of âback door evangelism.â Godâs purpose with His Word for Isaiah was not positive. Salvation itself is awarded to those spiritually called firstfruits. These studies were developed in a team training 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. But the problem is that people tend to look at others and their gifts, achievements, and popularity and measure themselves by what they see in others. 2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition. 2:4). 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 rewardâissues that are to be settled in oneâs heart by faithâwill no longer be dependent on manâs standards of success or on the response of others for their happiness or sense of identity or value. We compare people with people. I should not sit around and mope because of my inability or another personâs ability. 4:21-24). Paul wrote, âFor we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. The History of Sin. In the biblical world sin is, from its first appearance, tragic and mysterious. We face the âsuperstar syndromeâ and people begin to compare their leaders and their churches by those of the superstars. 1:7-8; 1 Tim. These passages remind us that God may use our abilities, as He used Paulâs training and keen mindâboth gifts of Godâbut sometimes He gives us weaknesses and then works though us anyway to demonstrate His grace and power. False standards can lead to self depreciation with the belief that we donât count and canât because e do not measure up. 119). In August of 2001 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and on August 29th, 2002 he went home to be with the Lord. It is this biblical/spiritual element, at least in part, that makes the marks of Christian leadership distinctively Christian. Another word often used to characterize the Bible is "infallible". Wait until the Lord comes. All beings owe their existence, including their individual gifts and abilities, to God as the Sovereign Creator. 139:14; Rom. 4:1-5; 2 Cor. God put me in the most trying situation I could endure. 2:14f). The following illustrate a few of the problems created by false standards of measurement: Because of a failure to become and stay oriented to Godâs grace to us in Christ, or because of grace disorientation and the false thinking which naturally follows, many believers end up functioning in ministry out of neurotic needs. 4:13). 1:11f). The Greek word for âdisciplineâ here is related to the word used for thinking in Romans 12:3. (2) What counts with God is faithfulness to His grace! They include: ancestors, time in history, race, national heritage, gender, family, physical features, mental abilities (natural aptitudes, mental limitations, and talents), physical size, abilities and handicaps, and aging and death. In our day the concept of self image, self esteem and self love has become a hot topic and the subject of much discussion. 4:13; 1 Cor. The Feasts are also agriculture-based. This has always been a problem even in the church as we see in 1 Corinthians 3 and 4 and in 2 Corinthians 10:10-12, but it has become an even greater threat and problem in our day because of the mediums of modern communication and the great notoriety that men so often receive. 16. Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon: Holman Old Testament Commentary by David Moore and Daniel Akin. Letâs note two key scriptures in this regard: Ephesians 4:13 ââ¦until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of Godâa mature person, attaining to the measure of Christâs full stature.â. Do I feel good about who I am or do I wish I was someone else? His life was written in the book of life, and each of his days was numbered.39. List the five biblical truths that are needed for a mature concept of oneâs self-image. How we answer these questions may play a key role in what we do with our lives, how we live our lives, in the joy we experience in life, in the way we treat others, and in how we respond to people and to God.35 âResearch has shown that we tend to act in harmony with our mental self-portrait. 4:1ff; 1 Thess. sos, âsafe, sound, and On some occasions the pastor was publicly humiliated by irate members. They will be resurrected first in a harvest of faithful ones to serve in His coming Kingdom. 15:9-11). He knew that the Lord had formed him as a unique person with gifts and abilities according to Godâs sovereign purposes. THE ISSUE OF SUCCESS IS ALWAYS OBEDIENCE TO GOD, not pleasing men nor seeking to satisfy manâs whims or standards of success (cf. So, exactly what does a mature Christian look like? 2:16-3:6). Your God-given abilities, talents, and gifts: Your process of discovering and correcting your correctable weaknesses: Our pride â the sprit of covetousness and the desire for public recognition, fame, and applause. On the other hand, the results we see can be negative and considered by men a failure, but are successful in the purpose and eyes of God. proneo, which means âthink, form or hold an opinion, judge.â âSober discernment,â is The Lordâs writing in the book (cf. 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 as a criminal, and died naked with the Roman soldiers casting lots for His robe, His only possession. Introduction Every age has its own special characteristics and our age is no different. Naturally, this often results in (a) discouragementâI couldnât make a dent, I am not good enough or smart enough, (b) apathyâwhy try, I could never compare with so and so, (c) fearâI would fail. The last words of our Lord in John 21 form an important message for all believers and especially for leaders. That we think properly about ourselves is important and is even commanded in Scripture. Thinking properly about ourselves stems from right thinking about God, but then that extends to right thinking about others so that it results in a freedom to serve according to the grace of God. We should seek to know our strengths and develop our abilities to the fullest degree. But most of the seed fell by the wayside; it was choked by thorns of worldly anxiety or drowned in the slough of resentment. While all believers have God-given gifts and abilities, they also have weaknesses. Q. When I heard the full story, I said, âRoy, I would not have stayed there for a month!â His reply was a rebuke: âIâve always wondered if I had love for people. These verses tell us to extend mercy and compassion for people, and hate for the sin. With this bit of knowledge in mind, it isnât difficult to envision the various âoutcries against sin,â such as that against Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20â21), as the voice of the Accuser. Please be specific. It will turn us from the servant to the served. When the disciples were wondering who would perform the duties of a household servant, Christ took a towel and basin of water and washed their feet! 12:15). Please describe the following in detail: 18. Christ, as our standard, is the standard of excellence, but we donât measure this by the opinions and standards of measurement used by the world or men. Is it medically safe to engage in ten days of total fasting monthly taking only water. 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 be servants. 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. 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. Mature believers derive their sense of self-worth and value from their union and co-identification with Jesus Christ in all His fullness, personal gifts, and provision, and from knowing He has a will and purpose for each believer (cf. He could have very easily begun to feel sorry for himself, âno one wants to follow me, my men have deserted me; I must be doing something wrong, I am a failure.â But as a mature man in Christ, Paul had a very different perspective and wrote, âI have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearingâ (2 Tim. There he would suffer through the reports of the wonderful success of other churches.