Self vs Christ

BLJ: You can put self on the throne of your heart, or you can put Jesus Christ on the throne. Putting self in charge will bring heartache, disappointment and regret. Putting Christ on the throne is the Biblical approach. It leads to life, and life more abundant. Put Christ first, not self. Many "Christian" books today are more self help, e.g. getting your best life now or determining your purpose. Christ wants you dead to sin, self and the world. That is your best life. That is your purpose.

ESSENTIAL ESTEEM

Christianity, with its "Lowliness and meekness" (Eph. 4:2), shuns the glorification of self and admonishes its followers not to be lifted up, but rather to "denounce self," and mortify the same. Where ESTEEM fits into the life of a true Christian -- is not to esteem one's self, but, as Paul put it: "...Let each esteem OTHER, better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3). All "Christian Humanism" so-called, is diametrically opposed to true Christianity because it tends to worship the creature instead of the Creator (Rom. 1:25).

Paul puts the cap sheaf on the whole proposition when he said, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3).

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION

All arrogant self-esteem should fall into the dust at our feet when we are reminded that Christ, our Saviour, "...made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,...he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:7, 8). Are we not commanded to take up our cross and follow Him? (Matt. 16:24). Furthermore, the Word of God teaches that since Christ "...suffered for us, leaving us an example, that [we] should follow his steps" (I Peter 2:21). Besides all of this, Christ said of Himself: "...I am meek and lowly in heart..." (Matt. 11:28).

"Alas and did my Saviour bleed
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?"

It was self-esteem that turned Lucifer, "son of the morning" (Isa. 14:12-15) into the devil (Rev. 12:9), and it follows that all who adopt Satan's arrogance will suffer Satan's fate: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev. 20:10).

Someone with a very keen insight has wisely said, "All of the troubles of the world are caused by somebody who wants to be important."

"...For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

BLJ: I cannot stress enough that self must be renounced. We are to crucify self. This is taking the death-route. We surrender the carnal traits one at a time and then when faith is appropriated, God will send the Divine fire and purify your heart. It will be either the way of self or the way of Christ. Your move.