Vanity - it's easy to mask, easy to forget, and easy to justify. We hide it behind dignity and poise. The sins connected to this weakness aren't quite as severe as those associated with pride, gluttony, and lust. But it can eventually lead up to some serious problems. And it can keep us from becoming an instrument of Christ.
The solution (humility) might be one of the most difficult virtues to master, but John the Baptist seems to have had a pretty good handle on it. Here's the guy who baptized Christ, and later sends his own followers away because he knows his time is over. So what was his secret? How do we stop worrying about our own worldly d?cor, and start the journey to becoming Christ's hand maid? The answer is self-love.
It might not sound like part of our Christian philosophy, but with the proper back drop, you can maintain selflessness and self-love in a co-existing format. How? By knowing our own self-worth, where our value comes from, and how to improve it.
So what are we worth? Let's start with the simple fact that we're creations of God. And since God doesn't make trash, that says pretty much for us. Now look at the fact that Christ Himself became man, suffered, and dies for us. Wow! That raises the value pot even more. We're actually worth the life of God.
Why are we so valuable? Because God made us. That's it. There's nothing more. All that we've accomplished, our assets, and our actions mean absolutely nothing. In other words, our nice house, perfect hair, & stylish clothing are worthless. Our career and community stature are meaningless. Even our good and charitable works do nothing to make us better.
This almost answers the next question. 'How do we improve ourselves?' But it only almost answers it, because it doesn't address the fact that God not only created us, but continues to work through us. So even though we can't improve ourselves at all, we can let God do it. Give Him control, and He'll make us better, reject Him, and our value will drop.
So by knowing, and loving ourselves, and desiring to make ourselves better, we can forget about the worldly illusions of greatness. We can overcome the vanity that might keep God from acting through us.
Written by Eric Engel at http://copyforsale.com, where you can find free content for your Christian newsletters and websites.
disinfecting cleaning services Deerfield ...Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
Once you become saved and born again, the Bible tells... Read More
The human nature means the soul and the body. A... Read More
Rabbi Kushner in his book "When Bad Things Happen to... Read More
Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More
If you're going to listen to anyone you're going to... Read More
In today's world we worry about everything, food, jobs, clothing,... Read More
It's an almost unbelievable thought, but could you be getting... Read More
Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice,... Read More
Good morning Roy, good morning JosethWhat about me, were do... Read More
Life is growth. For many people life is like a... Read More
I'm at that place in life many refer to as... Read More
You have everything you need: a miraculous body, a phenomenal... Read More
Oceans... There's water in 'em! :-)It may seem a bit... Read More
Presently, many of us live in uncertainty. Due to the... Read More
Can I be honest with you? There are days when... Read More
Most of us have heard talk or have read something... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More
Prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United... Read More
We've all heard the saying, "You have to forgive, but... Read More
"Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
I can truly say to this day of August, 2005,... Read More
same day cleaning service Glencoe ...We want to hear from God so that we may... Read More
Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More
Tony was a professinoal salt-water fisherman. He explained how he... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
African-American people are natural caretakers. We do a great job... Read More
70% of people who send me feedback at http://www.insideoutmusic.net tell... Read More
I am sure many of you reading this article have... Read More
Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More
You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...If you... Read More
Many look outside of themselves for an experience of the... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Some Evidence of How We... Read More
My favorite scripture is Roman's 8:28. "And we know that... Read More
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? I'm sure the... Read More
In my work as a Medical Intuitive, I come across... Read More
Part Two ContinuedIn addition to numerous philosophical problems relating to... Read More
One cannot read the account of Benhadad and Hazael in... Read More
Limiting beliefs, just like positive, empowering thoughts, provide a foundation... Read More
"A common jar of clay can never become a noble... Read More
As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More
In today's world we worry about everything, food, jobs, clothing,... Read More
There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone... Read More
Some people go to physics and spiritual readers for advice... Read More
What is success? It probably means different things to different... Read More
*Advice on living a humane and compassionate life.According to text... Read More
We humans are a funny, funny breed. We spend our... Read More
Spirituality |