LLLV18 6-18-2018 Jesus, Tim Keller, and Larry on Identity
Have you ever wondered why losing a job has such devastating effects on many people? Some even go for a psychological evaluation. Still, others hit the bottle or the needle. Divorce is often right around the corner.
A noted New York clergy person commented on this phenomenon with this truth:
“If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts.”
Tim Keller
Iknew a Christian Worker who enjoyed stellar success, and it caused his head to swell to elephantine proportions. He became disgusting to be around. As Keller said, his blessing went to his head, and pride was his downfall. Sitting on the bottom brought about the extreme reverse of sitting on top; he took his own life.
Less extreme examples abound.
Learning and acting upon the knowledge of who we are in Christ will prevent both extremes. When success comes our way, thank the Lord! By the same standard, when everything goes wrong, join Job and praise the Lord. Here’s in the midst of misery:
Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” (NKJV).
Jesus instructed where we are to find our meaning in life:
Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The question is; Where is your heart? Your station in life? Your title? Your hobby? Our life must be centered in Jesus Christ. Other things, even good things, are mere mechanisms the Lord uses for His purpose in our daily life. Jesus Christ is our treasure, and thus our heart is with Him.
Copyright © 2018 Larry Lilly
Great IT work. Oral Deckard
Have you ever wondered why losing a job has such devastating effects on many people? Some even go for a psychological evaluation. Still, others hit the bottle or the needle. Divorce is often right around the corner.
A noted New York clergy person commented on this phenomenon with this truth:
“If our identity is in our work, rather than Christ, success will go to our heads, and failure will go to our hearts.”
Tim Keller
Iknew a Christian Worker who enjoyed stellar success, and it caused his head to swell to elephantine proportions. He became disgusting to be around. As Keller said, his blessing went to his head, and pride was his downfall. Sitting on the bottom brought about the extreme reverse of sitting on top; he took his own life.
Less extreme examples abound.
Learning and acting upon the knowledge of who we are in Christ will prevent both extremes. When success comes our way, thank the Lord! By the same standard, when everything goes wrong, join Job and praise the Lord. Here’s in the midst of misery:
Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” (NKJV).
Jesus instructed where we are to find our meaning in life:
Matthew 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The question is; Where is your heart? Your station in life? Your title? Your hobby? Our life must be centered in Jesus Christ. Other things, even good things, are mere mechanisms the Lord uses for His purpose in our daily life. Jesus Christ is our treasure, and thus our heart is with Him.
Copyright © 2018 Larry Lilly
Great IT work. Oral Deckard
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