A Purpose
One of the chief reasons that Scott Holcombe and I keep this blog (and I believe Scott would agree) is to share insights and revelations of Christ received through the Scriptures first, and then through the qualities of our culture and the world around us. Put simply, the Christian life is never static. The follower of Christ is continually observant and receptive to the words of God in the Scriptures. In addition, this revelation is not simply stored, but is the window in which we evaluate and view the world around us.
This blog is where we have the privilege of sharing what the world looks like in light of God's truth. It's the very heart of how we develop our "Christian Worldview." Notice I said "develop." At no time did a man or woman come to Christ and then instantly see the world as God sees it. Never was one able to identify every single philosophy and mindset that contrasted with God's plan for his people. But praise be to God, for He continually "puts (his) laws into (our) minds, and writes them on (our) hearts." (Hebrews 8:10)
Economic Entitlement
I remember a while ago back in my high school years hearing of "economic troubles" on the news. I assumed back then that as long as I wasn't a stock broker, banker, or CEO, I really wasn't in any trouble at all. I was under a juvenile assumption that because my family had lived comfortably as long as I could remember, I would do the same even after I left home. Surely it was only fair that I was able to get a job, buy a house, and get around while living in America... it's what everybody did! Sure, they would talk about economic troubles on TV, but around me I saw people living life like always, so surely it was all just talk. I felt ENTITLED to a comfortable life, given to me because I deserved it somehow.
However, you and I now know that this is not the case. My eyes have been opened to see those who are not as fortunate as my family was, and that it's not all comfort and safety. Personally, I have discovered through experience how difficult it is to secure a job and a healthy savings. As I grew in my perception of how my culture worked, I realized that what I thought was automatically mine - a house, a job, and an income - wasn't necessarily mine to claim. Instead, as Paul writes to the church in Philippi, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." We are only entitled to what our God says we need. Though I think I "need" a job, a comfortable income, and a safe and secure house, I actually only need that which God has planned for me to possess.
Personal Entitlement
Here is where I risk receiving a lot of mixed response... but I am fully convinced of what God is teaching me, and I am coming to realize what a RADICAL humility God has called His followers to. Too often we are under the impression that when God calls us to humility, he calls us to humility by our cultures standards. So as long as we aren't coming off as prideful and selfish to others, we believe we are successfully living a life of complete humility.
The problem is, our culture's view of pride and humility is based off of the assumption that we have an understood entitlement as human beings to a "certain set of rights." Therefore, it's not the least bit selfish to not only get upset when our order at the local restaurant is messed up or doesn't arrive in the expected time limit. In fact, its not even abnormal to expect a discount or a free coupon in return for our inconvenience. If someone cuts us off while driving down the highway, it is only expected that we return the favor by blasting the horn or throwing up our hands in disgust. And here's the kicker... if someone makes incorrect and hurtful statements about our character, we are expected to treat them with disgust because of what they said, even when we know the statements weren't even true. A good friend of mine once blew me away with his reaction to a similar situation. When falsely accused of shallowness, he told me "at first I was angry, but then realized, it really doesn't matter what he thinks... God knows my heart, not him!"
Check this out.
Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
What catches my attention is that Paul is talking about a mindset and attitude, not simply a behavior. This isn't a 1st century behavior that doesn't apply to today's culture, it's simply having the mind of Christ. No matter where you are or what group of people you are with, placing others as more important than yourself looks the exact same! Verses 5-7 show us where this humility comes from. It comes from the mind of Christ... and what is the mind of Christ? To make yourself nothing.
This is where I and countless others just don't seem to get it sometimes. Our culture tells us we have a certain worth in our existence, and indeed, we do... but it is NOT of ourselves.We do have worth, all created men and women, and that worth is bound in the fact that we are in the image of God. Apart from God, Brian Dicks is worthless. Without Christ, I have no right to respect, and no right to dignity. I am called to become everything that I am in Christ, but nothing of myself. Any rights that I do not have in Christ... these I am called to let go of. This is what it means to become nothing in Christ.
I once heard a preacher over the radio exclaim, "How do you know if you are living like a servant? How do you respond when you are treated like one?" Our servant-hood to Christ does not simply describe our behavior... it is our very identity. My prayer is that myself and the rest of God's people are continually intentional about how we live, that the church may show Christ to the world in our life, until He comes. I pray that we strive to become nothing in ourselves, and everything in Christ.
Brian Dicks
