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Self-worth
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¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. |
I was asked the
following question: "Could
you please tell
me what the Bible says about identity of the "self" in a philosophical
sense? Right now I'm thinking about people's quest for a true definition
of the self in different cultures in the light of the Lord." |
| We
begin to see the importance of ourselves when we realize that the God of
heaven sent His own Son to take what we deserve so we can have what He
deserves (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). The price paid is beyond our understanding.
On the cross, Jesus faced eternal hopelessness, disconnected from the Father.
Of course heaven will be a place of purity so people who choose evil won't
be there (Rev. 22:15). This seems like a great obstacle but we find that
God not only holds a high standard but he helps us commit to it (Phil.
4:13). Will we be perfect in the sense that God is perfect? No, but we
may be perfect in human nature as God is in divine nature (Matt. 5:48).
And we are even promised a portion of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
And our unintentional imperfections are covered by the privilege of forgiveness
(1 John 1:9; 2:1). Of course we have a part in our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10).
What we do not earn it but it opens the way for God to give it to us. We
are claim divine strength (Isa. 27:5) to lay aside those habits that make
us unfit for heaven (Heb. 12:1; 1 Peter 2:1) and we must keep our thoughts
on Christ. We consider others more highly than ourselves (Phil. 2:3; Mark
9:35) Then, in humility, we carry our cross as Jesus carried His to Calvary
(Luke 9:23). That means being willing to die rather than knowlingly disobey
our Lord. |
| Finally
we are expected to feel the importance of our privilege to walk with Christ,
not in conceit but in humility, while feeling good about ourselves (Matt.
7:12). In God's great love and justice, those who would not be happy in
the pure atmosphere of heaven will not be there. They will die the second
death never to be resurrected. This is different from what most Christians
believe but it's what the Bible teaches (Mal. 4:1; Rev. 20:9; "forever"
does not mean "without end" Jude 7; Ex. 21:6; Jonah 2:6; 1 Sam. 1:22).
All this shows us the greatness of the creator God. Ted |
