DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: AUGUST 25 THE BELIEVER AND SELF SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 12: 3 – 8; PHIL. 2: 3 – 4
Today’s devotional discusses the believer and his or her daily behaviour, how he or she thinks and believes self against his/her behaviour towards others. As believers in God and Jesus Christ, how do we think of ourselves? Do we use our gifts and talents to disgrace others? Do we look at others as animals while looking at ourselves as human beings? Apostle Paul seemed to have addressed these questions in Romans 12: 3 – 8. In our daily behaviour towards people, first, we should not take ourselves higher than others. We are not to think about others less inferior to our standards. We should not rate our faith, gifts, talents and qualifications higher than who we really are on the inside.
Apostle Paul told the Roman Christians to always think about themselves vis-a-vis how they think about other with sober judgment, and in accordance with the measure of faith they are given by God. This caution is applicable to all Christians. Apostle Paul had, at this time, got reports how some Christians in Rome are living in “holy than thou” attitudes; boasting in their spiritual gifts and those with prophetic gifts using the gift to intimidate others. Paul’s talking of sober judgment points to thinking with balanced thought that every person has values and shortcomings. As Christians, we are to be honest in our evaluation of ourselves. We see, still today, amongst Christians, existence of arrogance behaviours, being highly proud boasting of acquired anointing above others. Some other are puffed up with high opinions to themselves about performances and possessions.
The core message today is that believers should not behave thinking themselves better than the unbelievers. It is not proper to use who God created us to be, the gifts given us as well as ministerial privilege given us to challenge people, ridicule them and intimidate them. We are advised not do anything with selfish ambition or for vain pride, but in humility as seen in Philippians 2: 3 – 4. Treating people with contempt and in pride brings dishonor as it makes people rate that individual low in their minds (Prov. 29: 23). When we treat unbelievers with arrogance and pride, God will oppose us instead of giving us grace for humility (1 Peter 5: 5). The beloved, let us know that whatever God has given us is given as an opportunity to do good to others (Gal. 6: 10).
SOBER REFLECTION:
Think over some of your attitudes. How have you been rating others comparing to how you have been rating yourself. How balanced are your thoughts against how you think of others? Use your finding to pray for change of behaviours.
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