SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. [2 Corinthians 10:18]
But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [Matthew 23:12]
Do I feel pretty good about myself?
Am I confident that I am OK?
Paul is highlighting the things that he has done, then apologizes if it seems that he is boasting – is he commending himself?
Yes, he is, but he also knows that his own assessment matters little – what matters is God’s assessment.
This echoes what Paul said in his earlier letter: As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. [1 Corinthians 4:3-4]
Jesus teaches that those who honour themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be honoured.
This is a general principle that applies in many ways – those who think they’re pretty good are not as good as they think; those who think they’re pretty bad are not as bad as they think.
The problem is our perspective – both of ourselves, others, and of God.
Our sinful tendency is to be unrealistic in how we view things, we see them through the flawed lens of a sinful, selfish heart.
This is true of those who are arrogant, and those who feel worthless.
Low self-esteem is as much an expression of the twisted heart-focus as high self-esteem.
What we need is a healthy God-esteem – the perspective that enables us to see ourselves as God sees us.
The important thing is for the Lord to commend us; it is the Lord who will examine us and decide.
A humble heart is an honest heart.
Paul is being honest: this is what I’ve done, this is why I’ve done it!
Humility is not saying that everything about us is bad, worthless.
Humility is a healthy perspective on our strengths and weaknesses, and our ultimate dependence on the Lord and His help.
It is confidence properly placed – in the Lord.
PRAYER:
Lord, here I am, the good, the bad and the ugly. I submit it all to You, and ask that You will bless what is good, and forgive what is bad.
Whose are we? We are the Lord’s and He doesn’t make junk. How we view ourselves affects the quality of works of service we do. If we think we are unworthy, we can’t even love ourselves than our acts of service will also be limited. If we are haughty, then our acts of service will be there to receive the applause of men.
We are the Lord’s and we need to see ourselves in His Light and then we are able to do as He wants us to do. We are not on our own. He is with us and He equips us with the proper equipment to fight the battle. He preps us each day as we begin and end the day with Him and in the between time we walk with Him. We are not our own but belong to Him. That is the power I must go forward in each day. My God is a mighty God and He equips me with the gifts and I must use them to the best of my ability. Onward I go.
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!