But quite the opposite message is found in the pages of Scripture, which frequently warns us, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matt 23:12 quoted, see also James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). In fact, Christ commands us to pray, fast, and give in secret, so that we do not draw attention to ourselves (Matt 6). James exhorts us to confess our sins to each other, so we may be healed (James 5:16). Paul encourages us to boast about our weaknesses (2 Corin 11:30, 2 Corin 12:5,9). Apparently, in God's economy, weaknesses are strengths, as they allow God's perfect power to rest on us and be revealed to the world (2 Corin 12:9, 2 Corin 4:7)!
In fact, even Moses, whom Scripture states was the most humble man on the planet (Numbers 12:3), struggled with spiritual appearances. You see, when Moses would speak to God on the top of Mt. Sinai, he would return to the Israelite people literally glowing--his face would shine so brilliantly that it necessitated wearing a veil in order to speak with them (Exodus 34:29-35)! However the Apostle Paul reveals to us in 2 Corinthians 3:12 something that the Old Testament never mentions: "We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away...." You see, according to Paul, even when the light of God's glory dimmed from Moses' face, he would still wear the veil. Why? Well, Scripture does not say, but I would submit to you that it was because Moses, like us, was afraid...he most likely felt safer behind the veil, appearing to be more "spiritual" than he was. It is in our very nature to hide, just as it was for Adam and Eve to hide their nakedness from God in the Garden after the fall (Gen 3).
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In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, we actually face more sin in our lives today than we did when we first received Christ! Paul recognized this in his own life--in his earlier New Testament (NT) writings, he refers to himself as "the least of the apostles" (1 Corin 15:9). However, in his later NT writings, he refers to himself as "the chief of all sinnners" (1 Timothy 1:15). How can this be? Ought we not become more sanctified (more holy and like Christ) as we continue on our journey of faith in Him? Hardly so! You see, just as a dimmer switch slowly increases the light in a room, so the Holy Spirit illuminates our hearts through God's Word, revealing more and more sin in our hearts! But as Paul admonished, we ought not be discouraged...for where sin abounds, God's grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20)!
So, it is with these thoughts that I come before you today, assuring you, dear friend, that I do NOT have it "all together" and that I battle sin, fear, doubt, and insecurity on a DAILY basis in my flesh! I, too, must submit my heart and mind to the Lord and renew it in HIS truth on a moment-by-moment basis to see God's power at work in my life! Let us never compare the "inside" of ourselves to the "outside" of someone else, as this is an unfair comparison by which we will never measure up! Take confidence in God's Word and the things HE has to say about you, dear friend! For only in that place will you find peace, joy, and the quiet assurance that you are loved as His child and you can be mightily used by Him through your weaknesses!
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