The Way Up is Down

Have you ever heard that phrase? “The way up is down?” Doesn’t make any sense does it? We live in a world that constantly strives for self-improvement, self-help, self-betterment, self-motivation, self-initiative, etc. (I think my point was made.) We are caught in an endless cycle of striving for the top, exalting ourselves over others. It’s tiring to constantly compare yourself to others and try to out do them on all fronts so you will be recognized.

What word would you use to identify the problem with this ambition? Pride! At the root it is self-pride that drives these desires and this philosophy. “I want.” “I deserve.” “My rights.” Etc. It all stems from our own self-concept that we are good and deserve to be treated a certain way.

However, the Bible helps us see ourselves clearly. God reveals to us that we are not good and at the core desperately wicked (Romans 3:23). We cannot improve our situation or ourselves because our sins deserve separation from God (Romans 6:23). Yet God loved us so much that He sent a hero to pay for our sins (Romans 5:8). That if we humbly believe on Him and accept what He has done for us we will be forgiven and reconciled with God (Romans 10:9-10).

True fulfillment in life doesn’t come from finding yourself; it comes from finding Jesus! Purpose and meaning will only be lost when you look within yourself, but in Christ we find abundant life (John 10:10). The key is learning to put off pride and embrace humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of your self less.

Some think humility is to belittle yourself, to consider yourself worthless and look depressed. However that is really pride working in reverse. You want people to see how humble you are so that they will praise you and therefore build your self-esteem. The Bible wants you to learn to get your eyes off of yourself and look at Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). When you learn to love Jesus with all your heart, you will stop thinking of yourself and begin thinking more about Him. You will see the value of others and seek their good over your own.

The Gospel transforms our self-concept. We begin to care less about our self-esteem and begin to develop a Christ-esteem. Your value doesn’t come from within, or from what you do, but from what Christ has done for you. Stop living in pride and see how true humility leads to a full life of blessings and connectiveness with God and His people.

"Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up." James 4:10