Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Vision
Self-image
Contrary to what may be commonly supposed, most people today do not suffer from a negative self-image. Too many of us, I fear, tend to think more highly of ourselves than is healthy, and too low of others than we should (cf. Rom. 12.3; Phil. 2.3, 4). We can always find things about ourselves which make us look better than others, and which can be used to justify our sense of superiority or our indifference to their needs and concerns.

Indeed, we have become such a society of narcissists that narcissistic personality disorder was nearly removed recently from the official catalog of psychological ills.

The problem with being content – if not downright smug – about how we see ourselves is that we may be comparing ourselves with the wrong template. To ourselves, we appear better than others, for whatever reason, and that’s good enough for us.

This can be true of Christians no less than of our unbelieving neighbors. But no wisdom is gained in comparing ourselves with others, as Paul reminds us (2 Cor. 10.12).

Calvin provides a necessary corrective: “So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue, to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness will become polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy will be condemned as the most miserable impotence. So far are those qualities in us, which seem most perfect, from corresponding to the divine purity” (Institutes, I.i.2).

Nothing like a little meditation on the beauty of the Lord to check our narcissistic tendencies (Ps. 27.4).

This works both ways, by the way. Those who suffer from a negative self-image can at times feel paralyzed and without hope of ever improving their lot in life. But here again, meditating on the Lord in His beauty and glory can lift us out of despair into higher aspirations and firmer hopes. We are, after all, image-bearers of God, and the Spirit of God is at work within us, willing and doing of God’s pleasure, and transforming us from glory to glory into the image of Jesus Himself (Phil. 2.13; 2 Cor. 3.12-18).

We don’t have to be insufferable narcissists. The world has enough of such people already. And we need not languish in a too-low view of ourselves and our prospects. Let us aspire to be like Christ, by meditating often on Him, singing His praises and glory, and talking with one another about His great strength and many virtues, and the boundless possibilities for fruitful and joyful living that following Him affords.

Turn your eyes to Jesus. One day we shall see Him face to face (1 Jn. 3.1-3). But we need not wait for that day to glimpse the glory in His face here and now, with powerful transforming effects (2 Cor. 4.6).

For reflection
1.  What role does meditating on Jesus have in your spiritual life?

2.  How might you improve the practice of this discipline?

3.  In what specific areas of your life are you presently seeking to be more like Jesus?

After you’ve reflected on the three questions above, get together with a Christian friend and talk about them.

T. M. Moore

Stretch your vision of Christ and His Kingdom by ordering a copy of T. M.’s book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store (click here). You can download a free meditation on the glory of Jesus Christ exalted, Glorious Vision: 28 Days in the Throne Room of the Lord, by clicking here.

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.