Thursday, December 19, 2019

Elevating Christ Alone!

Narcissists feel they are better than what they really are, therefore they associate with only those they elevate as special.

They deny the value of others whom they perceive as less than they are, or even one who has shown they follow their own path. Narcissists want us to follow them, be like them, like what they like and do what they do. If we are not like them they mock and demean those who do not measure up to their idea of good.

Often this idea of self is based on outward appearances and activities that would be seen as special.

Jesus Christ says no one is special above anyone else. He clearly gives gifts to every one who has been born again.

1 Corinthians 12:14-26
"14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,
24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no [p]division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is [q]honored, all the members rejoice with it."

Born again believers value every person in the body of Christ, no one is more special than another no matter what their gift or calling, but Christ is special above all.

Colossians 1:15-20
The Preeminence of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Everyone has a job and everyone has God's love and value, no one is worthy of mistreatment or dismissiveness. Those who value others above many because of their position do not understand the gifts and callings of God.

The Lord is looking to the obedience in each person more than the level of their position. Christ is not impressed with our position that He gave us, He is interested in our heart of obedience that loves to please Him.

2 Corinthians 10:12-17
"12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.
14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand,
16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.
17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."

We need not boast about the work of others, but in what Christ is doing through people. Our focus ought to always be Christ not the worker. We love and support the worker but should not give glory to them. All of us should be obedient without concern for being noticed or elevated, Christ should be elevated only.




The Truth About Christmas