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You, Too, Can Be Great!

by Alan Allegra
8/18/2020 / Christian Living

“When everybody is somebody, then nobody is anybody — We know this is true” (John Steinkamp).

The above saying was written in my high school yearbook by my history professor (not in parchment!). Although written decades ago, its meaning rings true today. It seems everybody wants to be somebody, and everybody is a winner. The race is on to get the most number of “likes” — And speaking of races, commuting on Route 22 has taught me that everyone’s destination is more important than mine.

The Pharisees were the peacocks of Jesus’ day. They loved to “do all their deeds to be seen by others” (Matthew 23:5). They were all about prestige, pride, and power. They did not care to help anyone else unless they could profit from it. Like Muhammed Ali, they thought they were “the Greatest.”

Jesus had some short words for the Pharisees: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:11–12). This does not mean that everyone has equal standing in life; some people have more power, wealth, and authority than others. These traits do not make them superior as humans; in truth, they are more able and more responsible to serve others. First Corinthians is all about humble service, using the gifts and resources available to each member of the body of Christ.

There is a trend in psychology today toward boosting a person’s self-esteem, looking out for Number 1, and developing pride in one’s lifestyle. The Bible has the healthy take on self-esteem: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3). Even the greatest apostle, Paul, said, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12–13). Man is NOT the measure of all things, and we can always find someone “worse” than us, and vice-versa.

I know I am a gifted communicator. Does that sound arrogant? Notice I used the word “gifted.” Where does a gift come from? You cannot “gift” yourself — It comes from somewhere. “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11). We should not think of ourselves too highly, but we can humbly recognize and exercise the gifts God has given us. “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” (Romans 12:3). We must humbly accept and nurture our gifts for the purpose of using them for God’s service to others.

The Old Testament prophet has given us the bottom line: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). As Peter reinforces, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Peter 5:5–6).

Do you want to be great? Be a nobody!

Alan is editor of Lifestyles Over 50 (Thrive Media) and contributor to the Allentown, PA, Morning Call. He is also an adult Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader. Passionate about reviving theology and church methodology, and being a senior citizen!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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