a) they're not really godly, and they're just posers and a fraud, but more importantly...
b) they are Christ-centered. Question: who exactly do you think is the one who made them into who they are, the bible-loving, Christ-centered, Jesus fanatic? is it themselves? think again.
chances are (and these are pretty high chances, if you ask me), God is the one doing the work, and ultimately all the glory should go to Him. our joy should be greatest when people start seeing The Creator of the Universe behind this broken piece of glass instead of how good we look now. the life-changing, transforming power should point back to the work on the Cross and not at our own lives and how we've worked so hard to change it.
SO, as a final thought...do we take joy in decreasing, diminishing, being made into nothing while God is being lifted high in your life?
"That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:29-30
In the past, I used to look at myself "better" than other Christians and thought that I was pretty good. It wasn't really until last year that God exposed my sins before my eyes to show that I too needed to depend on his grace every day. God broke my life; to humble me so that he will be greater and I will be undignified. Now I find great joy when I recognize that it is God who's greater and who deserves all the credit. Everything I do isn't for me, but for the King.
ReplyDeleteI too must continue to decrease.
-DYU
Good stuff Matt
ReplyDeleteThis is a verse that is so encouraging and challenging. It's all about God, not us.