June 13th 2021
Christians Should Take Pride Only In Moments Of Embracing Holiness!
Galatians 6: 3-5 (NIV)
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Recently while walking around a mall, I saw a man wearing a shirt with several pictures of men on it, and a caption above the pictures said, “All My Heroes Were Felons!” It makes me wonder how in this day in time we pick those people who we hold dear as heroes? My heroes tend to be people who impress me with their honesty and who do not run away from danger, but step forward to protect those who may need protection. I do not believe people who have been incarcerated for committing crimes fit this bill! Do you hold criminals in high esteem? Those people serving in the military, police and firefighters seem to be such people to whom I look up to as valuable citizens. We seem to be living in a time in this country in which many people fear those people who have chosen to serve in these dangerous jobs.
In the selected verses Paul is teaching us to first take a hard look at ourselves, as he wrote, “Each one should test his own actions.” If our honest assessment allows us to feel good about how we are handling our own actions and reactions, “Then he can take pride in himself.” Then he is waring us about next looking at others, “without comparing himself to somebody else.” Because we should be first concerned about our own actions, “for each one should carry his own load.” The only person we can change is ourselves. Observing the good things other people do is a good thing to do as it may help us be better people.
However, comparing to others to feel better about who we are is not a good idea. We should compare our actions against how Jesus would act or react is a good thing to do. The somewhat new adage of WWJD, comes to mind, meaning we should always try to emulate Jesus, especially when comparing ourselves to other people. Ultimately, we should compare ourselves to Jesus in a continuing effort to try to become more like Him every day!
Paul wrote about how people who claim to be Christians should conduct themselves to not be too independent, which could cause you to trample on the interests of other people. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:4-8). Paul is saying be careful not to value yourself too high, so you become a person other people may choose to avoid. What do you think Paul is trying to teach here?
We now live in a country where breaking the laws is a common thing to do. You only need to drive down any road or highway to see almost everyone exceeding the speed limit. If you drive at the speed limit or slightly above you cause a bottle neck, as almost everyone is trying to pass you. Hundreds of people every year die because of people speeding, and not being trained to drive their vehicle at the rate of speed they are travelling. Do you choose to drive a rate of speed which may be endangering your life and the life of your passengers, because you believe you can get away with doing it? Are you so reckless in other areas of your life?
It seems most people in the USA today do not consider doing evil and cheating are problems unless you do not get caught in the act! Even if you are caught it is recommended that you hire a lawyer good enough to get you found not guilty. Does this seem like a Christian attitude? An old adage was, “honesty is the best policy,” and this does not seem to be how most people still think. Integrity has become a lost word that people are willing to work toward. Integrity is the quality of having strong ethical or moral principles and always following them, no matter who is watching. A person with integrity acts with honesty, honor, and truthfulness. Integrity is the ability to act or react the same, even if no one is watching you!
As Christians we are to believe that God/Jesus is always observing what we are doing. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and reactions? Remember, Jesus left this Spirit behind for His followers, when He left this earth to return to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. This Spirit is available to help us discern our actions and reactions in everyday life situations, and maybe most importantly to help us when we pray. We should have daily time when we communicate with the Lord, through Bible study and prayer. It is best to do this starting each day, if possible. Do you take time to be holy each day? This is an absolute requirement for all those who choose to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus tried to negotiate with God on the fate Jesus knew was coming for Him. He knew He would be crucified and of course this idea was difficult for Him to understand, as He was still walking this earth as the Son of Man. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mark 14:36-38). Just as Jesus’ disciples were experiencing the weakness of their bodies, in this case just not being able to stay awake, during the time of great unrest for Jesus. We can echo this same type of reaction to taking time to be holy, because we also may experience disappointment, because “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Do you take pride in sinning and not being found guilty of your sin, because mankind is willing to accept what you did as acceptable behavior in this world’s societal climate, although it is obvious that God’s commands do not allow such behavior? If it makes you feel good, do it! Has God changed His mind, because “everybody is doing it?” An old song had a lyric, “I did it my way!” Face it most of us want to do everything “my way,” but as Christians we are supposed to try to do it “Jesus Way!” This is not natural, but it is holy, as holy as members of mankind can be. Our sinful nature gets in the way of being holy anytime, and all the time if you are okay with that! We need to plan for taking time to be holy, every day!
Christians should take pride only in moments of embracing holiness!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Galatians 6: 3-5 (NIV)
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
Recently while walking around a mall, I saw a man wearing a shirt with several pictures of men on it, and a caption above the pictures said, “All My Heroes Were Felons!” It makes me wonder how in this day in time we pick those people who we hold dear as heroes? My heroes tend to be people who impress me with their honesty and who do not run away from danger, but step forward to protect those who may need protection. I do not believe people who have been incarcerated for committing crimes fit this bill! Do you hold criminals in high esteem? Those people serving in the military, police and firefighters seem to be such people to whom I look up to as valuable citizens. We seem to be living in a time in this country in which many people fear those people who have chosen to serve in these dangerous jobs.
In the selected verses Paul is teaching us to first take a hard look at ourselves, as he wrote, “Each one should test his own actions.” If our honest assessment allows us to feel good about how we are handling our own actions and reactions, “Then he can take pride in himself.” Then he is waring us about next looking at others, “without comparing himself to somebody else.” Because we should be first concerned about our own actions, “for each one should carry his own load.” The only person we can change is ourselves. Observing the good things other people do is a good thing to do as it may help us be better people.
However, comparing to others to feel better about who we are is not a good idea. We should compare our actions against how Jesus would act or react is a good thing to do. The somewhat new adage of WWJD, comes to mind, meaning we should always try to emulate Jesus, especially when comparing ourselves to other people. Ultimately, we should compare ourselves to Jesus in a continuing effort to try to become more like Him every day!
Paul wrote about how people who claim to be Christians should conduct themselves to not be too independent, which could cause you to trample on the interests of other people. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:4-8). Paul is saying be careful not to value yourself too high, so you become a person other people may choose to avoid. What do you think Paul is trying to teach here?
We now live in a country where breaking the laws is a common thing to do. You only need to drive down any road or highway to see almost everyone exceeding the speed limit. If you drive at the speed limit or slightly above you cause a bottle neck, as almost everyone is trying to pass you. Hundreds of people every year die because of people speeding, and not being trained to drive their vehicle at the rate of speed they are travelling. Do you choose to drive a rate of speed which may be endangering your life and the life of your passengers, because you believe you can get away with doing it? Are you so reckless in other areas of your life?
It seems most people in the USA today do not consider doing evil and cheating are problems unless you do not get caught in the act! Even if you are caught it is recommended that you hire a lawyer good enough to get you found not guilty. Does this seem like a Christian attitude? An old adage was, “honesty is the best policy,” and this does not seem to be how most people still think. Integrity has become a lost word that people are willing to work toward. Integrity is the quality of having strong ethical or moral principles and always following them, no matter who is watching. A person with integrity acts with honesty, honor, and truthfulness. Integrity is the ability to act or react the same, even if no one is watching you!
As Christians we are to believe that God/Jesus is always observing what we are doing. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and reactions? Remember, Jesus left this Spirit behind for His followers, when He left this earth to return to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. This Spirit is available to help us discern our actions and reactions in everyday life situations, and maybe most importantly to help us when we pray. We should have daily time when we communicate with the Lord, through Bible study and prayer. It is best to do this starting each day, if possible. Do you take time to be holy each day? This is an absolute requirement for all those who choose to be followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus tried to negotiate with God on the fate Jesus knew was coming for Him. He knew He would be crucified and of course this idea was difficult for Him to understand, as He was still walking this earth as the Son of Man. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mark 14:36-38). Just as Jesus’ disciples were experiencing the weakness of their bodies, in this case just not being able to stay awake, during the time of great unrest for Jesus. We can echo this same type of reaction to taking time to be holy, because we also may experience disappointment, because “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Do you take pride in sinning and not being found guilty of your sin, because mankind is willing to accept what you did as acceptable behavior in this world’s societal climate, although it is obvious that God’s commands do not allow such behavior? If it makes you feel good, do it! Has God changed His mind, because “everybody is doing it?” An old song had a lyric, “I did it my way!” Face it most of us want to do everything “my way,” but as Christians we are supposed to try to do it “Jesus Way!” This is not natural, but it is holy, as holy as members of mankind can be. Our sinful nature gets in the way of being holy anytime, and all the time if you are okay with that! We need to plan for taking time to be holy, every day!
Christians should take pride only in moments of embracing holiness!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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