Presented by Aneatria Allen
Many Christian believers of this world have been afflicted with the “it’s all about me syndrome”. That if the situation or attention is not on them…there is a problem. If they are not getting paid or praised for their work or efforts…they get an attitude. If they are not in charge and enlarged…it’s not worth participating. Many have deduced the entire vocabulary to the word “I”: becoming disillusioned that “I” makes the “team” or “a whole”. Most often hearing statements such as: I do this; I do that; if I had not; or if I had. Sadly but true, most often forgetting what it meant to be “a disciple for Christ”.
In fact, a Christian disciple is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of Jesus Christ. For Christ said: “If they follow me, the Father will honor them” (John 12:26). However, many of us don’t seem to want to follow, nor believe it necessary to practice patience to be raised to higher positions.
But let us be reminded that the word teaches us humble ourselves. In Matthew it states “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Paul also cautions us, that “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each should test his own actions. Then he can pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load” (Galatians 6:3-5). Therefore, we should be focused on doing the best at what we have been assigned and pride ourselves on doing by our own expectations.
Pastor John Ramsey teaches us that “hypocrisy can be when we have expectations of others that we do not fulfill ourselves.”
Paul teaches us that we should be imitators of Christ. In Philippians 2:5-11 it says: “5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Examples of servants:
v Joshua, since his youth, served under Moses while in the wilderness (Numbers 11:28). Joshua was not appointed to lead the Israelites and was not filled with the holy spirit until Moses’ death (Joshua 9:9)
v Samuel, after being weaned, was dedicated back to God and served under Eli (I Samuel 1)
v David, after slaying Goliath, served under King Saul and escaped death many times before being appointed King.
v Paul (Acts 9-1-26)
v The Twelve Disciples
Scriptures referenced:
v “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
v “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
v “He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34
v “Let us not be conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:26
v “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each should test his own actions. Then he can pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” Galatians 6:3-5
v “God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.” Matthew 5:5
v “If they follow me, the Father will honor them.” John 12:26
v “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
v “23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
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