10/22/24

Galatians 6:3-4 NASB1995 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

I am convicted regularly of pride and it is verses like these that are the power of that conviction. How often do you think of something good you have done and have the thought, "I am something or good job"? That is pride. It is a deceiving thought. It gives glory to you when all glory belongs to God. If we truly examine ourselves, then we will see that if there is any good work in us it is done by the Spirit. It is the Spirit that guides us to a upright lifestyle. The Spirit guides us to be more like Christ. If we examine ourselves by the standard of man then we will aim for sin. However, when we examine ourselves by the standard of Christ we are aiming for Holy Righteousness. When good is done through us we should be thankful not prideful! Thankful, for the Holy Spirit using us. Thankful for His guidance. Thankful for His power in us, and thankful for conviction which leads us to obedience. The words we desire to hear from God are, "Well done, good and faithful servant." They are found in Matthew 25:21, & 23. These words in context are said to a slave who had used what the master had given him to increase the masters wealth. God has given us Spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. When we are obedient to the Spirit in the use of those gifts it grows the Lord's Kingdom. Scripture says in 2 Timothy, James, and 1 Peter, that we receive crowns for certain things. Therefore, people get the idea they are good and deserving, but if we will continue to read we come to Revelation 4:10-11. These two verses say. Revelation 4:10-11 NASB1995 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

In the end, we give the crowns back to God because He is the only one deserving!

Don't glorify yourself. Instead, be thankful God desires to use you. Look forward to the day when you can say Lord here are your crowns back. I examined myself and found that You alone are Holy, Righteous, and worthy. I am thankful for your love and desire for me.

Love Bro. Scott