Pride, the self-serving demand to make oneself first, this is the source of strife in anything and anywhere.
What is the root of this pride, however?
Fear, that someone is getting something, but I am not, or that someone has taken something from me, and there is no retribution for it.
At its core, though, the biggest issue hurting all of us is ... condemnation.
Man's greatest need is to be loved, admired, and accepted.
Anything that challenges that will elicit fear, pride, and thus strife.
Consider how Rachel felt when she was not bearing children to her husband Jacob:
"And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die." (Genesis 30:1)
Notice that word "envy"---the older sister Leah was bearing all the children. What about her?
Also, in Biblical times, when a woman was struggling to give birth, it was considered a reproach, a sign of shame or condemnation:
"22And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son." (Genesis 30: 22-24)
So, the most important thing to get rid of in order to be free of condemnation, a sense of being "passed by" or let go, is to remember that we have received all things in Christ Jesus!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1:3)
We have been justified from all things because of our Lord Jesus!
"38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13: 38-39)
So, because of His righteousness, and the abundance of grace which flows in our lives because of it, we reign in life!
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)
And we are seated in heavenly places in Christ, right next to God the Father! (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
One cannot get much higher than that? There is no need to worry about not having enough, or to think that God blesses others, but at our expense, or that we end up being left out of those blessings. That is simply notthe case. His blessings flow freely to all who will receive them.
Now, what happens if you do not believe that? Then you face the Diotrephes problem:
"9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." (3 John 9-10)
Notice that Diotrephes wanted to be #1. The word in Greek literally means "to be first."
If we do not recognize God's headship, and that His Reign is in our best interest to bless us, then we will demand to be first, just as the fallen angel Lucifer did (cf. Isaiah 14)
Notice the prayer that John gave for his friend--well-beloved friend--Gauis:
"2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)
When we understand that God's heart is for us to prosper, then we don't have to get jealous of others, nor do we have to engage in pride, putting ourselves ahead of others.
When you know that you reign--yes, like a king--in Christ, then there is no need for strife!
No comments:
Post a Comment