How Do You See Yourself?

I confess: I want so bad to see myself as somebody. But even more than that, I want OTHERS to view me as somebody. That is, somebody who is the best at something spiritual, the "holy man" who is the fount of wisdom and godly counsel; the believer who stands out, not just in my church, but among ALL the churches. This is what I want IN MY FLESH, that sinful remainder of Adam still so alive within me.

How does the Scripture say I should see myself? How should others view me?

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." 1 Corinthians 4:1

One of the many problems in Corinth was the personality cult. "I am of Paul, I am of Apollos," etc. But Paul says, we are NOT faces on Apostle or Teacher trading cards, we are not contestants on "Corinthian Idol." We are servants. This word for servant was of one who was under an authority and waited to do his bidding; a subordinate. It was used in classical Greek of the rower on a ship. God wants me to be viewed as the rower below deck, not the CAPTAIN. When the rower wants to be the captain and looks for ways to make it happen, it is called MUTINY! There is much mutiny in my heart.

BUT...as a redeemed man with a new heart indwelt by God the Holy Spirit I can both choose and pursue the image and role of servant. One practical way I have found to do this (though it is not consistently enough true of me) is to INQUIRE HOW OTHERS ARE DOING. Instead of waiting for others to inquire of my welfare, so that I can talk about ME and polish my image as a leader or all around spiritual guy, I can choose out of Spirit-given love, to ask, "How are you today?" "How is it going with you and the Lord?" "How is your wife?" "How have you been fighting the fight of faith this week?" "Is there something I can be praying for you?" (NOTE: not, "Is there some problem-solving wisdom I can impart?") As a servant of Christ I am bound to address His concerns. What are His concerns? His people. The lost. These I am called to serve in the name and power and gospel of Christ.

Note also that Paul writes he is to be viewed as a "steward of the mysteries of God." The "mysteries of God" are basically the gospel. The gospel is a "mystery" in the sense that it was long hidden in the shadows of the OT but has now been revealed through Christ coming, dying, and raising from the dead. A steward is one who handles the property or goods of another, who dispenses the wealth of his master to others as it is due. As the servants of Christ, we are called to steward or dispense the goods of the gospel to others. This gospel is not just "turn from sin and trust Christ," though it IS that. But this gospel we are called to dispense as servants and stewards includes all that God has done for us and is doing in Christ. It is the gospel of hope for the lost. It is the gospel of help for every need for believers. We have it. Are we giving it to others? Am I? Are you?

If I see myself as a servant of Christ I will focus on His interests, not mine. I will look to dispense His gospel goods and not stuff to enhance my reputation.

But glory! I am a servant, an under-rower, a steward/manager of CHRIST! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the God/Man Savior. He is the eternal Creator. I have had serveral opportunities to serve some great men in my life - men whom God has used greatly to impact the Christian world - I escorted some to breakfast, gave rides to the airport, did the errands of others. In each case I was filled with a sense of joy and purpose because I was able to serve them. I was not just a servant, but the servant of a men of consequence, men of wide impact.

Here's how we should joyfully, with awe, see ourselves: as SERVANTS OF CHRIST.