Wrestling against our flesh is an essential part of growing in Christ. And Scripture makes it clear that we’ll be doing that work our whole lives. But also, we’re often too hard on ourselves as we grow in obedience.
While self-assessment is an important tool, God’s loving, gracious point of view is what matters most in the process.
Here are some thoughts from Dr. Stanley to help you maintain a healthy self-image as you walk with Jesus.
As Christians we sometimes let our inadequacies keep us from seeing our true worth.
I’ve known believers who thought so poorly of themselves that they became unfruitful. It’s a tragedy when that happens, because over time it leads to a stagnant Christian life with little growth.
There’s no reason for a believer to stagnate, not when Christ has set us free. The key is a proper understanding of God’s grace in our lives.
In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Paul gives us a glimpse of how God can transform us. “For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” To see our worth as Paul saw his requires fresh understanding.
First, we need to view our past sins in the light of God’s grace.
Through Christ, God has erased our former sins regardless of their nature, length, and intensity. It makes no difference what you’ve done. When you’re forgiven, God removes all that from your life.
Paul understood the terrible nature of his past and his own unworthiness to be an apostle, yet he was not burdened by guilt, nor did he let his past hinder what God was doing in the present. Instead, he used the contrast between his old life and new as an example of the transforming power of God’s grace. As a believer, you have a right to the same mindset when it comes to your past.
Second, we need a new perspective of ourselves as reliant on God’s grace.
Like Paul, we should be able to say that God’s grace has reshaped us from the persons we used to be. You will never have the sense of being whole and complete until you realize that everything you are is by the grace of God.
Colossians 2:9-10 says, “in [Christ] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete.”
Reliance on self will always lead to feelings of unworthiness. But reliance on the perfection of Jesus and the grace of God allows us to accept our value.
Third, we need a redirection of our energy.
Paul said, “I labored even more than all of [the other apostles], yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).
God’s grace transformed Paul from a persecutor to a preacher. All his energy was now poured into proclaiming the gospel, founding churches, and teaching believers the truths of God. The Lord called him to be an apostle, and Paul spent his life fulfilling that calling. God’s grace was not in vain.
Near the end of his life he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Finding and fulfilling God’s will for your own life will give you true confidence, and a satisfaction that nothing else can.
A lasting sense of worth comes from knowing that you belong to God. To grow in faith and obedience you must surrender your guilt, trust that God’s grace—not your efforts—makes you whole and be willing to devote yourself to serving Him. Let God do in your life what you cannot do for yourself.
Then you can become all He wants you to be.
We hope Dr. Stanley’s words have encouraged you to find your sense of self-worth in Jesus’ eyes. This month, remember that you are abundantly loved by the Lord and that He’s with you in every moment, including when you’re struggling.
Rejoice that even when we feel we don’t measure up, God pours His grace into our life. His good plans for us will continue into completion. Till next time, God bless you.
For His glory,
Your friends at In Touch Ministries