self-forgetfulness
Whenever I recall the mistakes I've made, I wonder how God could love me still when I find it so hard to love myself.. Doubt and despair comes from our wrong choices, but I'm thankful for tender mercies that comes from above. I am no longer in court room, no longer on trial every single day. His love keeps no records of wrong. It is Agape. I got to keep reminding myself that..
In the world, we perform for the verdict. If we cannot live up to our parents' standards, we can feel terrible. If I cannot live up to society standard, I feel terrible too. Perhaps the solution is to set my own standards and keep them low? Are low standards a solution? Not at all. My feeble effort to boost my self-esteem by trying to live up to my own standards or someone else’s is a trap. It is not an answer..
It is just as Paul who does not look to the Corinthians for his identity. He does not go to them for the verdict that he is a 'somebody', such that he could get that sense of identity from them. Neither does he get it from himself either.
The verdict is in.
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? ~1 cor 4:6-7
People aren't proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking. They are proud of being richer, or smarter or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equal in wealth, looks and so on, there would be nothing to be proud about... "The way the normal human ego tries to fill its emptiness and deal with its discomfort is by comparing itself to other people,"
The essence of gospel humility is not thinking more or less of myself, but thinking of myself less, in being genuinely interested in others. There is no need to connect things, experiences, conversations with myself, and if i'm looking good at all times.. ahhh..The freedom of self-forgetfulness... The blessings of being at rest with myself..
In the world, we perform for the verdict. If we cannot live up to our parents' standards, we can feel terrible. If I cannot live up to society standard, I feel terrible too. Perhaps the solution is to set my own standards and keep them low? Are low standards a solution? Not at all. My feeble effort to boost my self-esteem by trying to live up to my own standards or someone else’s is a trap. It is not an answer..
It is just as Paul who does not look to the Corinthians for his identity. He does not go to them for the verdict that he is a 'somebody', such that he could get that sense of identity from them. Neither does he get it from himself either.
" In Christianity, it is the verdict that leads to performance.
Because I am loved and fully accepted by Him,
I do not have to do things to build up my resume or to do things to make me look good.
I can do things for the joy of doing them.
I can help people to help people,
not so I can feel better about myself,
not so I can fill up the emptiness. "
~ Timothy Keller
Because I am loved and fully accepted by Him,
I do not have to do things to build up my resume or to do things to make me look good.
I can do things for the joy of doing them.
I can help people to help people,
not so I can feel better about myself,
not so I can fill up the emptiness. "
~ Timothy Keller
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? ~1 cor 4:6-7
People aren't proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking. They are proud of being richer, or smarter or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equal in wealth, looks and so on, there would be nothing to be proud about... "The way the normal human ego tries to fill its emptiness and deal with its discomfort is by comparing itself to other people,"
The essence of gospel humility is not thinking more or less of myself, but thinking of myself less, in being genuinely interested in others. There is no need to connect things, experiences, conversations with myself, and if i'm looking good at all times.. ahhh..The freedom of self-forgetfulness... The blessings of being at rest with myself..
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