Christian Living
Living Life Is Not About Self
2,331 words
Robert Schaetzle
Our worth is not about who we are in the flesh, but who we are in Christ, who created us. Living with purpose and understanding by way of ‘New Birth.’ God’s power and presence of His abiding Holy Spirit. He wants to teach and train us what it means to have life and have it abundantly, by His design.
We’re in cultural upheaval of moral decline and decay because we become so inhibited and molded into the fabric of society. Much like ancient Israel of old when God gave specific warning to separate from the unrighteous cultures of idolatrous peoples they were to conquer.
We have to learn to let go ‘self’ in order to find our way on His narrow path of righteousness as He instructs us.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Mathew 7:13-14 NASB
We lose our way so easily, because the focus is too much on ‘self’ over value of God’s worth. We lose perspective what is important and needed, over what is demanded by people. Learning to ‘put off the old in order to put on the new,’ is so often misunderstood.
Most all media programing and especially talk shows and news outlets display intent to get people to believe ‘Self Worth’ should prevail over biblical promises.
Our present worldwide culture is much like the period of the Judges before Saul was anointed king in 1050 BC. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes, without regard to right and wrong. We’re witness to more and more the loss of biblical value we should desire in our daily behavior.
The Book of Proverbs acknowledges examples of wrong character qualities and the result when we fail to receive instruction and adhere to actions that will prove our love to God, and understanding how to live.
Chapter eight of proverbs, God outlines a true personification of wisdom for our living. As we would seek the ‘Narrow Path’ it’s important to recognize the roll wisdom plays, even from the point of creation.
Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. Proverbs 8:1-4 NASB
These verses reveal the omnipresence of God’s character and authority over all of His Creation. Just as our Savior is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, the very presence of God’s Holy Spirit is at work displaying, or calling us, to seek after those things above, where Christ intercedes.
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.18 “Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness.19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.
As we learn to deny self, we’re growing closer to the intimacy and love God desires for us to hold. Seeking after His promises we’ll discover our riches are not about the wealth accumulated by having a large bank account.
When I reflect back on raising my family, I purposed to want to put Christ first. Raising my family of five children. His wisdom taught me much in letting go, and letting God be the Controller of all my resources. Time after time He would multiply what was needed; as with life, He matures and enables us with wisdom from above.
“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.23 “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth24 “When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.25 “Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; 26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.27 “When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29 When He set forth the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.” Proverbs 8:22-31
From the beginning of creation’s story, wisdom prevailed as part of God’s divine order for establishing all the earth. His design to bring forth the mountains, the beautiful green rolling hills of where I grew up are all part of the beauty of life.
When as a child, did you ever lay out in the open fields of scented tall grass, look up to watch the various formations of cumulus clouds? Did you attempt to make something from the shapes, as large clouds might be passing overhead?
Times when you walk along the seashore, listen to the surf wash along the shoreline, and find a calming rest to remove the burdens of the day?
Never take for granted the beauty of our Lord’s magnificence of creation, rejoicing always and in the many ways to recognize the beauty of the earth; the delight one can receive, knowing the part wisdom played at the beginning, when He put it all together, and, how he makes provision for all our need.
The Widow’s Oil
“Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4 And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:1-7
God sustained this poor widow through her desperation. When we truly want God, and call out to Him, He will hear and make provision to get us through whatever circumstance comes before us. Learning to lean on Him is demonstration how the faith He assigns us will show His power at work. The instruction given is admonition not to neglect, but listen, watch, and obey. These choice gleanings are to teach us. God is knocking always at the door of our heart asking us to lean on Him, not ourself.
“For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:35
Finding life is learning wisdom. To serve his righteousness cannot help but bring blessing as we purpose our living to His honor.
Knowing Truth from Evil
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1
I like the way God presents truth, He’s not timid but right to the point. Within our social correctness, one might say; ‘But he who hates reproof is not understanding.’ Our Lord is right to the point, “He’s Stupid!”
Too much what social behavior demands is stupid. Period! Our social fabric is fearful of not saying the truth because it might hurt someone’s feelings. Faith is not about feelings, but goes beyond. Our Religious affections come through obedience to God’s authority, regardless of what mankind may think or feel.
“The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.” proverbs 12:7
Here’s a contrast of good versus evil with a wonderful promise. ‘The righteous will stand.’
A hope with certainty. This is demonstration what our Lord presented from Mathew 7, where He spoke of the wicked man who built his house on the sand and when the floods came and the winds blew, great was its fall.
“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” proverbs 12: 14, 15
As we grow in Spiritual strength and wisdom, our words become more pleasing to God. His Spiritual presence will give cause to be slow to speak, slow to anger, and more to hear. Listen to those Spiritual moments God controls. Again, these are demonstrations that living is not about self, but rather, living under a Spirit controlled temperament.
The foolishness of the world around us cannot discern to know the value of wisdom except through surrender, to humble oneself to learn and receive grace given in abundance. The invitation to receive Jesus, is to deny self for something far richer and greater than human reasoning.
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God.” Psalm 14:1-2
The world of the unbelieving turns aside from desiring true wisdom and worth for living. They fear what they do not know or understand. Why do you witness so many activists groups and organizations fighting against biblical Christianity?
We cannot know Godly wisdom except from Spiritual discernment; it takes humility and repentance. There simply is no other way to say it.
Why were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders out to destroy the wonderful deeds and signs of Jesus? They would not submit to truth! All the prophecy written concerning the time and events proclaimed of the coming Messiah; they shut themselves out from truth.
“Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, But the wicked are filled with trouble.” Proverbs12: 19-21
There is no other way for life eternal, or to know true wisdom except through Jesus. When we have Jesus as purpose for living, then we’re not bound to the regulations and fears of the flesh of mankind, or man’s foolish ways.
The last portion of Proverbs 12:21 ‘but the wicked are filled with trouble,’ ring true as we witness so much turmoil, dissention, and strife from the world around us.
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proberbs12: 25
Consider how much stress we display within the everyday living? It becomes quite evident despair, depression become pandemic around the world.
The Spirit of man can and will endure sickness, as we witness in aging, but a broken spirit, a broken heart is a matter that only God can repair and heal. The ‘Good Word’ of biblical teaching will bring many back from despair, addiction, from loneliness, from lack or self-worth, victory over anger, unforgiveness, and a multitude of sins.
God’s Authority
“He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.” John 3: 31-33
God gives testimony for His Son Jesus, coming from heaven, and that he who receives Jesus, and believes in Him, God has indeed set His seal upon him, that God is truthful and cannot lie.
Mankind’s ability to bring himself to think that he can be his own savior is lost forever. Satan’s biggest lie is to deceive mankind into thinking he is equal to or superior to God’s majesty and power. He stirs people into a frenzy of fear, emotion and uncertainty, into making people think ‘I can do it my way.’
The treasure we have comes through surrender, humbling self to recognize living comes from the Creator. True living just isn’t about living for the things of this world around us. It’s not about self.
The wisdom from the book of proverbs is made clear for us to understand, when we purpose to want to know God’s truth and authority.
God desires for us is joy! He wants for us to live life not for our selfish gain, but to display a transformation, through surrender. Real victory comes through surrender!
Living life is living through the power of His presence; understanding life is given from above, in God’s purpose and authority, not about ourself.
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