#self-glory

Some songs have had the power to start revolutions. One of those songs is found in the Old Testament, sung by a group of women who had no clue what their melody would provoke. 

  To be able to serve God as a leader within a local church, growing that church, and seeing a direct impact can be intoxicating and exciting as a given local church grows around a talented, charismatic leader. It is easy for the organization that the person leads, and the person himself get caught up, not in God’s glory, but his own self-glory where their identity is caught up in their own…

This morning, I read Philippians 3:1-11. I have been going through the book of Philippians through and through, over and over; and every time I come across a chapter again, something new presents itself for learning.

I love spiral learning.

This morning, something struck me as it never has before: The world seeks after wisdom and for proof of learning; but for the true Christian, the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus has more weight than any knowledge the world can provide.

To the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul expressed the same sentiment:

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 KJV)

But why does the Omniscient One see it fit to essentially hide His vast wealth of knowledge and show it only to babes (Luke 10:21)?

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3 KJV)

That no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV)

The world's education is focused on self-glory: the courses completed, the schools attended, the diplomas achieved, the scores earned.

God's education is based on knowing Him: the course, righteousness by faith; the school, Christ's feet; the diploma, the resurrection of the dead; the score, of no significance...

When I realize that what I give up for God, even in educational lines, is all but loss, I will learn the truest lesson in humility. Credentials mean nothing in God's eyes. The world may view my choices in education as worthless, bogus, foolish; but Heaven's foolishness is wiser than man's greatest wisdom.