Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” This is what humility is—it’s recognizing who we really are.
As a student of theology, writer, and occasional preacher, I loved reading Martin Luther talking about learning theology, and about the “little books” some of us write and the little sermons we preach. Sometimes the reformers really make you smile.
Living by grace means affirming daily our unworthiness. We are never thankful for what we think we deserve. We are deeply thankful for what we know we don’t deserve.
Years ago, I wrote an article about Westley Allen Dodd, a man who was executed in 1993 for torturing, raping and murdering three young boys in Vancouver, Washington, about twenty minutes from where I live
What I think about myself is important. We all have a self-image. But not all self-images are equally valid.
1 John 2:15-16 reads, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh [the sin nature] and the desires of the eyes [which relates to the warped perspective we sometimes have] and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
I appreciate the thoughtful, biblical and Christ-centered insights of Pastor Tim Keller. I recommend his books, messages and online videos. Here’s something he wrote awhile back that deserves a wide audience.
A.W. Tozer was one of the writers (along with C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer) who had the most profound impact on me as a young Christian, and he continues to do so. I appreciated this reminder from him that pride is delusional. And it’s never in our best interests.
Puritan Theologian John Flavel said,
"They that know God will be humble; they that know themselves cannot be proud."
As Christians, we are chosen by God, and also targeted by Satan.
I'm the author of over 40 books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I love Jesus, my wife Nanci, and our daughters, sons and five grandsons!
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