Something from Nothing

Something from Nothing

Galatians 6: ³ If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. ⁴ You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. ⁵ For each of you have to carry your own load.

 

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When I got the title I was looking for, I thought I was “something.” I watched those who carried their titles “well” and I sought to be like them. I modeled their purchases, habits and speech patterns. One day, I no longer had that “title.” What was I going to do?

 

• I felt I was a nobody.
• I had wrapped my esteem in things I could compare to other people.
• I secretly missed the clout and recognition for achievement.

 

Paul gives a stern warning about thinking you are “something.” This form of pride is based on comparison to others and needing other people to “affirm” actions. He provides a remedy, “carry your own load.”

 

My Observations

• There is one being I should compare my life to, namely JESUS.
• When I compare my sinful life to JESUS, I quickly see that I am nothing.
• GOD knows HE can use me especially when I do not think more highly of myself.

 

Liking myself was difficult because I thought I had to achieve titles and acquire things to be recognized by others as “something.” BUT GOD scoffed at my titles and achievements because HE is the MOST HIGH. I was busy comparing myself to my coworkers and sometimes taking shots at them to make myself look good.

 

GOD loves when I recognize I am nothing without HIM. HE opens my eyes to be thankful for what HE has done and where HE has placed me. I can then see that HE values me without titles or stuff. I am grateful GOD can love me just as I am. HE made me something from nothing.

 

Challenge

• What two types of pride do you see in this passage?
• How can you tell if you are doing “good conduct?”
• If you compare yourself to others, will you accept the fact that GOD loves you without titles or achievements, so you can carry your own load to serve HIM today?

Entitlement

Entitlement

John 12: ¹⁴ Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

¹⁵ “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.

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“Could you tell that person they are sitting in ‘my’ seat?” I said to the flight attendant.  I wanted to say “How dare you sit in ‘my’ first class seat” to the person, but figured it would come out wrong. I had flown a lot so I “deserved” this upgrade. The flight was two hours.

• There were times when I liked rules that helped me get what I “deserved.”
• There were times when I got excited about programs that awarded me privileges that I could complain to someone about if I didn’t get them.
• There were times when it was exciting to travel first class, even when it was a short trip.

JESUS had walked miles and miles to get to the city. Once people saw HIM they cheered and threw palms down so HE would not continue to soil HIS feet. HE then got on a small donkey and rode a very short distance into Jerusalem. This was the entry of a King?

• JESUS wants me to see HIS humbleness.
• JESUS wants me to see HIS restraint.
• JESUS wants me to see HIS control over HIS power.

Entitlement creates rage. I mean when I think I “deserve” something better from someone and don’t get it, I get enraged. BUT JESUS showed me a different example. HE deserved everyone bowing down to HIM, yet HIS announcement that HE is King, was celebrated by some, but not all.

HE is GOD. HE is all powerful, all seeing, all knowing, yet HE took the lowest position as a human and was blamed by the church leaders for the sins of all mankind. I am grateful HE is the one who saved me. I am entitled to nothing.

• What do you think you are entitled to?
• Do you get enraged when someone is not acting the way you think they should?
• Will you take time to observe the humility of JESUS today?