Esteem Thyself?
Romans 7:14-25
In his book Hard To Believe, John MacArthur addresses today's self-esteem gospel:
"Jesus set the standard as total self-denial. In Luke 14:26, a great multitude was following Him and He turned and spoke to them: "If anyone comes to Me" - meaning those who wanted to be His true followers - "and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Self-hate? What a powerful truth! . . . Following Jesus is not about you and me. Being a Christian is not about us; it's not about our self-esteem. It's about our being sick of our sin and our desperation for forgiveness." [emphasis added]
It's almost heart-breaking to hear a youth parent say "our youth don't like each other...They don't get along." To which other parent heads nod in agreement. Further still, to receive a phone call saying "I think the reason our kids don't get along with each other is because they don't like themselves. They have self-esteem issues..." The reason it's heart-breaking is because not one month ago, the issue of "self-esteem" was addressed by the senior and associate/youth pastor. Both parties simply quoted a statistic: the better kid feels about himself, the worse he does. Being content with oneself means little or no seeking improvement.
In the Christian world, this is devastating to the Gospel call to repent! Telling people [especially teenagers bent on rebellion] that they're wonderful and fine just the way they are equals death. Death to evangelism, death to repentance, and death to biblical ministry: the process of making disciples who are less like themselves and more like Christ!
The Apostle Paul, unquestionably the most influential Christian and one of the most godly, Christ-like men who ever lived, did not believe in nor preach/teach self-esteem to anyone! Yes, in his letters to churches, he lifted them up in encouragement, and every Christian should do the same. "Edify, stupid! Edify!" But of himself, he saw no need to be esteemed. Paul saw himself in light of God's Word that stood against him. "O wretched man that i am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" [Rom. 7:24]
When we see ourselves as sinners, lost, depraved, unworthy creatures, then will we appreciate and cherish the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul did that himself in verse 25, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord..." His appreciation for the Gospel came from his disapproval of himself through God's eyes.
If Christians would stop reading self-help garbage and start reading the Bible [go figure!], this issue would not exist. Parents would have a right understanding of themselves and pass that wisdom to their children. No, parents should not crush their children's spirits, but should edify, exhort, and encourage them to fall on Jesus Christ for mercy, recognizing themselves for the sinners they truly are.
in Christ alone...
In his book Hard To Believe, John MacArthur addresses today's self-esteem gospel:
"Jesus set the standard as total self-denial. In Luke 14:26, a great multitude was following Him and He turned and spoke to them: "If anyone comes to Me" - meaning those who wanted to be His true followers - "and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." Self-hate? What a powerful truth! . . . Following Jesus is not about you and me. Being a Christian is not about us; it's not about our self-esteem. It's about our being sick of our sin and our desperation for forgiveness." [emphasis added]
It's almost heart-breaking to hear a youth parent say "our youth don't like each other...They don't get along." To which other parent heads nod in agreement. Further still, to receive a phone call saying "I think the reason our kids don't get along with each other is because they don't like themselves. They have self-esteem issues..." The reason it's heart-breaking is because not one month ago, the issue of "self-esteem" was addressed by the senior and associate/youth pastor. Both parties simply quoted a statistic: the better kid feels about himself, the worse he does. Being content with oneself means little or no seeking improvement.
In the Christian world, this is devastating to the Gospel call to repent! Telling people [especially teenagers bent on rebellion] that they're wonderful and fine just the way they are equals death. Death to evangelism, death to repentance, and death to biblical ministry: the process of making disciples who are less like themselves and more like Christ!
The Apostle Paul, unquestionably the most influential Christian and one of the most godly, Christ-like men who ever lived, did not believe in nor preach/teach self-esteem to anyone! Yes, in his letters to churches, he lifted them up in encouragement, and every Christian should do the same. "Edify, stupid! Edify!" But of himself, he saw no need to be esteemed. Paul saw himself in light of God's Word that stood against him. "O wretched man that i am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" [Rom. 7:24]
When we see ourselves as sinners, lost, depraved, unworthy creatures, then will we appreciate and cherish the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul did that himself in verse 25, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord..." His appreciation for the Gospel came from his disapproval of himself through God's eyes.
If Christians would stop reading self-help garbage and start reading the Bible [go figure!], this issue would not exist. Parents would have a right understanding of themselves and pass that wisdom to their children. No, parents should not crush their children's spirits, but should edify, exhort, and encourage them to fall on Jesus Christ for mercy, recognizing themselves for the sinners they truly are.
in Christ alone...
posted by slave2Messiah at
7:27 AM
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