What is the very best way to live our lives to the fullest? We know as Christians that it is to follow God's plan for our lives and not our own. But that is a lot easier said than done. As humans we have a natural desire for control over our own lives and circumstances. Unfortunately, when we try to run our lives our own way, we often make things harder for ourselves. If we could just follow God's plan rather than our own, our lives would be a lot more fulfilling and a lot less painful!
So how do we go about doing that? Giving up control to our lives? I think it starts by firstly, recognizing we are never really in control to begin with. We have free will to go where we want, but the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). We go about making decisions, and (if we are in Christ) He cleans up after us, making them work for our good, because of His great love for us (Romans 8:28). Not to say that we won't ever make mistakes! That is what that grace is there for. However, how much better would our lives be if we could just live them in the light of His good plan? How much better indeed, if we could just submit.
That word has a negative connotation in our society. Especially among women. We don't want to submit to authority! We won't lay down and take this! We want to live life how we want to live it! But ah, Kingdom principles are not the principles of the world. They oppose them. We are taught in the Bible that submission is an appropriate response to the Lord. And when we submit to Him, it improves our standard of living vastly.
Jesus set this example for us again and again during His time on earth. He only did what the Father asked him (John 5:19). He was so engaged and locked in on His Father, that He could clearly distinguish what His will was and follow it without wavering. Because He did this, even when what the Father asked was difficult, we have our salvation. What greatness was accomplished by submission to the Father's will! If Jesus, Son of God Himself, can submit, I think we can bear to do the same.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)
Matthew 26: 39, 42 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (HCSB)
So what prevents us from submission? Like I said earlier, I think it is because humans have a natural tendency to want to control everything themselves. We somehow give ourselves enough credit to say we know better than God what a good plan for our life looks like. We push Him away and forge our own destructive paths, just to show how right we are. But alas, it never goes how we'd expect. Our God wants us to lay aside our pride, and see that His plans are good because He loves us so!
There are countless verses in the Bible concerning pride. All have the same message-- pride is not from God. We are supposed to lower ourselves like Jesus did. Become nothing so that the Lord can raise you up as He sees fit! Pride is what causes destruction in our lives. Pride is what caused the fall of Satan (then known as Lucifer) and the other angels following him. He counted himself as greater than God. How often do we do the same without realizing it? But when we ignore God's plan for our own, there is an assumption that we somehow know better. "But you don't understand, Jesus…" That is pride.
Proverbs 29:23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (ESV)
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (ESV)
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (ESV)
Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. (HCSB)
James 4:5-6 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” (NIV)
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (ESV)
The other way our pride can get to us, is by coming in the way of us and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not only to be submissive to our Lord, but to each other. No one should be trying to gain power for themselves or be unwilling to listen to others around them. We do not have a say in who is greater among us. We are all united under Jesus and the Lord gives out gifts and roles for us as he sees fit and we are to leave room for that. We all have a unique purpose, gifting, and outlook from Christ. We should be respectful of that, not discounting anyone as below us for being different.
Romans 12:2-3 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (ESV)
Ephesians 5:1 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (ESV)
Colossians 3:22-24 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. (HCSB)
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (ESV)
Matthew 23:10-12 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (ESV)
One large way I had to learn to lay aside my pride with others is in asking advice. Sometimes it is really hard to hear the truth-- but if we want to live life in the fullest in Christ we must hear it, accept it, and live by it. Sometimes we need to lay aside the pride of acting like we've got it all figured out, and be honest with a friend in what's actually going on for our own sake. We need others to shed light on things in our life and council us Biblically on which escape route to take. Most importantly, we need to take what they say and put it into action. Do not discount your brethren in Christ! He speaks through them too, you know. God put His Spirit inside of us so that we may carry Jesus and His all-surpassing wisdom everywhere we go. You maybe should think twice before turning down some advice you don't want to hear.
Galatians 6:3 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (NIV)
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (ESV)
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (ESV)
Proverbs 10:17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,but the one who rejects correction goes astray. (HCSB)
Proverbs 24:6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. (NLT)
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
So how do we go about doing that? Giving up control to our lives? I think it starts by firstly, recognizing we are never really in control to begin with. We have free will to go where we want, but the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). We go about making decisions, and (if we are in Christ) He cleans up after us, making them work for our good, because of His great love for us (Romans 8:28). Not to say that we won't ever make mistakes! That is what that grace is there for. However, how much better would our lives be if we could just live them in the light of His good plan? How much better indeed, if we could just submit.
That word has a negative connotation in our society. Especially among women. We don't want to submit to authority! We won't lay down and take this! We want to live life how we want to live it! But ah, Kingdom principles are not the principles of the world. They oppose them. We are taught in the Bible that submission is an appropriate response to the Lord. And when we submit to Him, it improves our standard of living vastly.
Jesus set this example for us again and again during His time on earth. He only did what the Father asked him (John 5:19). He was so engaged and locked in on His Father, that He could clearly distinguish what His will was and follow it without wavering. Because He did this, even when what the Father asked was difficult, we have our salvation. What greatness was accomplished by submission to the Father's will! If Jesus, Son of God Himself, can submit, I think we can bear to do the same.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)
Matthew 26: 39, 42 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (HCSB)
So what prevents us from submission? Like I said earlier, I think it is because humans have a natural tendency to want to control everything themselves. We somehow give ourselves enough credit to say we know better than God what a good plan for our life looks like. We push Him away and forge our own destructive paths, just to show how right we are. But alas, it never goes how we'd expect. Our God wants us to lay aside our pride, and see that His plans are good because He loves us so!
There are countless verses in the Bible concerning pride. All have the same message-- pride is not from God. We are supposed to lower ourselves like Jesus did. Become nothing so that the Lord can raise you up as He sees fit! Pride is what causes destruction in our lives. Pride is what caused the fall of Satan (then known as Lucifer) and the other angels following him. He counted himself as greater than God. How often do we do the same without realizing it? But when we ignore God's plan for our own, there is an assumption that we somehow know better. "But you don't understand, Jesus…" That is pride.
Proverbs 29:23 One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (ESV)
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (ESV)
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. (ESV)
Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. (HCSB)
James 4:5-6 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” (NIV)
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (ESV)
The other way our pride can get to us, is by coming in the way of us and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not only to be submissive to our Lord, but to each other. No one should be trying to gain power for themselves or be unwilling to listen to others around them. We do not have a say in who is greater among us. We are all united under Jesus and the Lord gives out gifts and roles for us as he sees fit and we are to leave room for that. We all have a unique purpose, gifting, and outlook from Christ. We should be respectful of that, not discounting anyone as below us for being different.
Romans 12:2-3 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (ESV)
Ephesians 5:1 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (ESV)
Colossians 3:22-24 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. (HCSB)
Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (ESV)
Matthew 23:10-12 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (ESV)
One large way I had to learn to lay aside my pride with others is in asking advice. Sometimes it is really hard to hear the truth-- but if we want to live life in the fullest in Christ we must hear it, accept it, and live by it. Sometimes we need to lay aside the pride of acting like we've got it all figured out, and be honest with a friend in what's actually going on for our own sake. We need others to shed light on things in our life and council us Biblically on which escape route to take. Most importantly, we need to take what they say and put it into action. Do not discount your brethren in Christ! He speaks through them too, you know. God put His Spirit inside of us so that we may carry Jesus and His all-surpassing wisdom everywhere we go. You maybe should think twice before turning down some advice you don't want to hear.
Galatians 6:3 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (NIV)
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (ESV)
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (ESV)
Proverbs 10:17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,but the one who rejects correction goes astray. (HCSB)
Proverbs 24:6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. (NLT)
Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. (ESV)
Today let us walk with the Lord and rely on His leading and plan for our lives. He is with us through every step guiding us, if we will only listen. Do not get into the habit of thinking you know best in life. Oftentimes we are following sinful desires that we don't even realize are there, leading us away from Christ-- our ultimate prize. Remember that it's okay to admit we don't have everything together. We shouldn't! If we did, we wouldn't need Jesus! We are weak so He can be strong. Do not discount the Jesus in others when receiving advice from your fellow Christians. Humbly pray on their advice and honestly evaluate yourself for your own benefit. This is how we will live like we were meant to. When we are constantly seeking to become more like Christ every day.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Comments
Post a Comment