We live in a culture that is just as carnal, just as self absorbed and just as fearful as at any previous time. The ‘Jesus follower’ is challenged to live “in the world” but not be “of the world”, that is, this world system. It is obvious that this world system is built on the values of money, sex, and power. Now, the greatest of these is money, with it men purchase sex and power! Oh, but the value system of the Kingdom of God is faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love!
The Apostle Paul reminds us through his letter to the Corinthian church in II Corinthians 10:12:
“For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”
Paul is responding to the carnal attempts of those who seem to be competing with him for influence. He is not, understand, putting himself in a league with those who boast that they’re his superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point!
Many in the church are “of the world”, worldly, but not “in the world.” That is, acting like the world while condemning it from a distance. We must be cautious in our ‘holiness,’ our separateness, from exempting ourselves from the ministry God places in our lives while separating from the sin.
The only one we have a reason to compare ourselves with is Jesus. When we do this we will bow humbly before Him with Whom we have to do. So be careful in this worldly process of envy, greed, and selfish ambition. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord!
The American poet and humorist, Strickland Gillian, hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “Egotism is the opiate that nature administers to deaden the pain of mediocrity.” If we are not careful, our ego will blind us to the purposes of God as we get entangled in the spirit of this world. Let’s live by faith and walk in obedience to the light that we have received.