Philippians 1:20-21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Our modern culture encourages us to think highly of ourselves, to raise our self esteem. Counselors teach their clients to look at themselves in the mirror and repeat over and over, “I’m okay! I’m fine! I’m just great!”
The truth of the matter is that we have been sold a bill of goods. We have been made to focus on ourselves instead of others. Pride is perhaps the greatest sin mankind has ever had to deal with. It started in the Garden of Eden when the serpent enticed our first parents by telling them they could be like God.
What a big lie that was, and Satan has been using the same temptation ever since. He tries to get us to focus on what will make us feel good. That idea is so far removed from what God desires for our life that it seems to be in another universe. There are many feel-good evangelists out there that are purveyors of the “name it and claim it” theology. It is almost as if they are saying we should be telling God what to do.
What did Jesus say was the primary focus that we should strive to achieve? In response to His critics asking for the first and greatest commandment, here is how He responded in Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” I think that says it all. Not my will, but Thine be done!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil