Before we proceed to
the “low view” of ourselves commanded by Scripture, it bears repeating that the
“high view” we have considered in the last few days leads not to arrogance or
self exaltation, but humility.
“By the grace of God, I am
what I am” (I Corinthians 15:10).
As we properly affirm
the person we are in Christ in accordance with Biblical teaching, we do so in
affirmation not of ourselves, but of the God who spiritually birthed and
nurtures us. Indeed, were it not
for the dynamic presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we would have no more
interest in godliness than we had in our initial reception of salvation in the
Lord Jesus. We must be drawn to the
table of consistent faith and obedience no less than we were drawn to the new
birth. We respond, of course, and
our role of “working out” the salvation our Lord is “working in” calls us to
decisive and conscious involvement in our relationship with God (Philippians
2:13). Nevertheless, we always know
that Christ is the power of our walk in godliness, and all honor flows to His
blessed throne of grace.
Failure to know and
affirm the Biblical high view of ourselves reveals a deficit in our apprehension
of the person and work of the Lord Jesus.
Who is He, what has He done, what is He doing, and what does He promise
to do forevermore in us? These
questions, rightly answered, beckon us to a proper perception both of Christ,
and of ourselves. The New Testament
plainly teaches that it is not enough to rightly perceive only our Lord, as
central and vital as this is. We
must also rightly perceive ourselves in the holy light of who our Savior is for
us, and within us. Such spiritual
and doctrinal knowledge illuminates the candle of our innermost temple, leading
us to “walk in the light, as He is in the light” (I John 1:7). Thereby is the Lord Jesus glorified, and
thereby the high view of ourselves prepares us for the proper low view of
ourselves.
“Now are ye light in the Lord;
walk as children of light.”
(Ephesians 5:8)
Tomorrow: the Biblical low
view of ourselves.
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