Daily Journal: 23 November

Who Do You Think You Are?

The phrase, “Who do you think you are?” is usually used when another person, or people, are trying to take someone down a notch or three. Pride is always at the root.

Matthew 23:8-12 (NLV)

“But you are not to be called teacher. There is only one Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Do not call any man here on earth your father. There is only one Father and He is in heaven. You are not to be called leader. There is only one Leader and He is Christ. “He who is greatest among you will be the one to care for you. The person who thinks he is important will find out how little he is worth. The person who is not trying to honour himself will be made important.

Our worth is not based on what title we claim, or the impression our role brings. Our worth is based on the giving nature of Jesus Christ and the empowering manifesto of the Holy Spirit and that each person is simply loved for themselves, by the Father.

Who we think we are is not nearly so important as who God says we are and what He calls us to do. When we start bringing our impressions in to the mix, our pride and our ambitions, we dilute or negate the agenda of the Holy Spirit, sabotage what He desires for us, and prevent others from being used where God would have them be used.

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

This isn’t to say we are to count ourselves as insignificant, but to help establish others’ significance over our own and to care for their improvement and empowerment ahead of ourselves.

Sometimes that seems a sacrifice of self, and if so, that pleases the Lord.

Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

This isn't to say we don't put our hand up and be as effective as we can, too. Each of us has a role to play.

Who do you think you are in God?

We are to love God first, others second (Matthew 22:36-39), and not have any false idols ahead of Him (Exodus 20:3), which includes the idol of ‘self’.

James 4:10 (NLT)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honour.

Do what we can, use our talents, help others, and leave our position to God. Be led by our Teacher and Father, and He will see our heart of service and deal with our place in His way.