The greatest gift . . .

Humility is often defined as not thinking little of yourself, but not thinking about yourself at all, only others. However, can that happen? When I look in the mirror and my face needs washing or my hair is disheveled, can I avoid thoughts of self as I fix those personal needs?

Instead, think about what God thinks about this. Paul wrote:

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Romans 12:3)

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

The biblical injunction here is not to abandon all self thought, but to keep it in proper perspective. Just like what I wear is not as important as who I am, and bodily exercise is not as important as discipling myself to godliness. This is what God wants, and clearly my attitude and actions should be motivated without pride or a person agenda — because other people are more important.

The Christians at Philippi took care of the apostle Paul and their kindness did not go unnoticed. He rejoiced that they cared, yet he wasn’t concerned about himself. He had learned a valuable truth . . .

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:10–13)

While he says “I can do all things” the context is not so much about doing as it is about standing up under the events of life, good or bad. Essentially, he said that because of Christ, he remained content no matter what happened to him. He also was saying that he could do whatever God wanted him to do because he was not worried or anxious about his own needs. He knew he could do the job and didn’t use his own needs as an excuse to refuse any task. He also knew that God was in charge and could be trusted.

As Tozer says, I cannot do in myself what God can do. I am a mere human, yet with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His presence in my life, I can do what Jesus, God-Man did while on this earth. He shows me what a fully human person can do when they trust the Holy Spirit for everything.

Jesus, You never cease to challenge me. These verses and Tozer’s comment does just that: “Anyone can do the possible; add a bit of courage and zeal and some may do the phenomenal; only Christians are obliged to do the impossible.” It is by this that humility becomes genuine and by this that You are glorified. Thank You for the great gift of contentment and the assurance that makes it a reality.

Good timing, God!

God’s timing is occasionally amusing. Yesterday I had my second session with a personal fitness trainer. I want to regain strength and improve mobility so my body doesn’t weaken anymore than it already is. Today’s devotional reading is this section that Paul wrote to a young pastor:

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:6–8)

Here, the first use of ‘being trained’ means being nourished. The other instances of ‘train’ and ‘training come from the same Greek word that we get gymnasium and gymnastics. It means to discipline yourself. So I am hearing, “Nourish yourself in the Word of God. There is value in this life to go to the gym but being well-fed by God’s teaching is vital for life now and eternal life later.”

I’m not sure if Timothy was preoccupied at a gym and aiming for a buff body, but this can be a major preoccupation for some people. The nearby rec center is filled with all ages wanting slim, muscular bodies. Could it be that some of them are Christians and skipping Bible study and prayer so they can lift weights and skip rope?

My workout was hard for me but felt good. This could gain admiration from family and friends. I can imagine my clothes fitting better and having more energy. God warns me to keep this new venture in proper priority. I’m thinking of another warning about priorities that was specifically pointed to women:

“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear — but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:1–4)

Lest that misunderstood ‘s’ word upset me, it simply means to stop insisting on my own way all the time and be more like Jesus who always puts others first. Submission is only possible for those who are filled by the Holy Spirit. That said, the connection to the passage about bodily exercise is about priorities. Peter is not telling women to stop doing their hair or wearing nice clothes; he is telling me to not make that a priority. It is the same with going to a personal trainer. If I want to please God or even impress others, I am supposed to be adorned with the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, the spirit of godliness that by its presence declares that I am totally trusting Him.

Tozer emphasizes that godliness is like any other discipline or training; it requires practice that forms a habit. My husband models this in his generosity. He prays every time he sees a homeless person or beggar with a ‘help me’ sign. If God so indicates, he will turn around and drive out of his way to do whatever the Lord leads him to do. From this habit, he has a heart of compassion that convicts me. I’m more apt to suspect the person on the street has a Cadillac parked around the corner. Instead, I should be praying and following God’s leading.

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Lord, going to the gym is motivated by my own desires. Being a godly person must be motivated by the needs of other, whether a meal, a smile, a hug, or some money. First, I need to be more alert, but also less selfish and judgmental. Forming the habits of bodily exercise challenges me yet forming the habits of godliness is a greater challenge. Work in me so that the less important discipline reminds me of the more important and motivate me to keep at it. Both kinds of exercise will remind me of how out of shape I am!

Living as a creature of extremes . . .

Following the Lord is a paradox. On one hand, I can fervently seek the Lord and on the other, I can stray off in another direction. This is just as the psalmist describes:

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (Psalm 119:10)

It is also as the apostle Paul describes:

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7:18–20)

I am often tired of this battle yet realize I cannot save myself. The answer to this paradox is always Jesus who delivers me from this body of death (Romans 7:24-25). I’ve prayed many times, “You are my Savior Jesus, please save me.”

Tozer tells of a Jewish man who came to personal faith in Jesus. This man said, “I often think back on those years of reading from the Old Testament. I had the haunting sense that it was good and true. I knew it explained the history of my people. But I had the feeling that something was missing. When I found Jesus as my personal Savior and Messiah, I found Him to be the One to whom the Old Testament was in fact pointing. I found Him to be the answer to my completion as a Jew, as a person and as a believer.”

Paul said the same thing. Jesus Christ the Lord pulled him out of the pit of sin and of running his own life. No matter how hard he tried, he could not do the good that he knew to be true. He needed the only One who can give us righteousness.

The psalmist said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11) Since Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and since Jesus Christ comes to dwell in the hearts of those who trust Him, then it could be said that I also have the Word in my heart — that I might not sin against the God who saves. It is not my power or even my prerogative but His and His alone.

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Jesus, each day I need Your saving power to overcome the selfishness and sin that threatens my life. I seek You with my whole heart, but I also realize I am prone to wander. Keep me in Your precious care today.