The Self-Forgetful Praying Christian

The following is based on a sermon

In the epistles to the Corinthians, we learn that it is unwise to compare yourself with others (2 Corinthians 10:12). "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7.  It's also carnal and immature to make an idol out of another Christian's work (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building." 1 Corinthians 3:9. As God's building, our foundation is Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

With that in mind, notice this passage: "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord." 1 Corinthians 4:3-4.

Here we see Paul didn't care what others think, nor what he thought of himself, but rather what God thinks. Now let's look at this principle point by point.

"It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you"
The fear of man is a trap and depending on man is a curse (Proverbs 29:25a, Jeremiah 17:5-6). Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32.

Why should we worry what others think or we think of ourselves when it is God's word that stands forever? (Proverbs 29:25b, Isaiah 40:8). God's word is alive, with creative power, and will not return void (Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 33:6, 9; Isaiah 55:11). Our worth comes from God who says, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." Isaiah 43:1.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus didn't worry what the religious leaders of his day thought of him when they complained  “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:30). Jesus' reply: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32. Jesus didn't come to seek His own glory, but rather to do the will of the Father who sent Him  (John 8:50, John 6:38). Jesus willingly chose come and taste the cup of suffering and death for our sins (Hebrews 10:7, Matthew 26:39).

Christ never murmured, never uttered discontent, displeasure, or resentment. He was never disheartened, discouraged, ruffled, or fretted. He was patient, calm, and self-possessed under the most exciting and trying circumstances. All His works were performed with a quiet dignity and ease, whatever commotion was around Him. Applause did not elate Him. He feared not the threats of His enemies. He moved amid the world of excitement, of violence and crime, as the sun moves above the clouds. Human passions and commotions and trials were beneath Him. He sailed like the sun above them all. Yet He was not indifferent to the woes of men. His heart was ever touched with the sufferings and necessities of His brethren, as though He Himself was the one afflicted. He had a calm inward joy, a peace which was serene. His will was ever swallowed up in the will of His Father. Not My will but Thine be done, was heard from His pale and quivering lips. – {Manuscript Releases Vol. 3, p. 427}

In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they cannot find peace. [Desire of Ages, p. 330]

"I do not even judge myself"
We are not justified or saved by our own works, but rather by faith, which itself is a gift from God, so how could we boast about anything? (Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). We are God's workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10. We simply "work out" what God "works in" us (Philippians 2:12-13). As believers we pray in Jesus name, acknowledging that without Him we can do nothing (John 14:12-14, John 15:5).

Any righteousness we think we have is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Righteousness comes to us through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:21-22). In Christ, we can have a living faith that works through love (Galatians 5:6, James 2:26). The Christian life doesn't revolve around self, but around Christ who lives in you by faith. Like Paul, you can say, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Don't let your feelings judge you either. Feelings are no evidence of God’s displeasure. The heart can play tricks on us, but God knows our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Samuel 16:7). John says, "And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." 1 John 3:19-20.

"He who judges me is the Lord"
Our thoughts are not like God's thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11. It is a blessing to trust in God and what He says (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

God already established our worth by redeeming us with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Corinthians 6:20). "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. Knowing this, we are to live for His glory, not for ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 5:15).

The only way to destroy the idolatry of people pleasing is to worship Jesus!

“All experiences of the fear of man share at least one common feature: people are big. They have grown to idolatrous proportions in our lives. They control us. Since there is no room in our hearts to worship both God and people, whenever people are big, God is not. Therefore, the first task in escaping the snare of the fear of man is to know that God is awesome and glorious, not other people.” When People are Big and God is Small, p. 95

“A growing knowledge of God displaces the fear of people, and it casts out our tendency to be casual with our secret sins. And the good news is that it can be learned…You must simply be a person who prays and seeks after this great gift.” When People are Big and God is Small, p. 107-108

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

How to be a self-forgetful praying Christian

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life. Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. [Steps to Christ, p. 93]

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

There is never a reason to worry, only a reason to pray

Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

And if the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer. [Steps to Christ, p. 93]

None need feel that they are too busy to pray, too full of business cares to spend an occasional fifteen minutes to seek counsel from God. My brethren, make God your entire dependence. When you do otherwise, then it is time for a halt to be called. Stop right where you are and change the order of things. Pray first, before taking up the work of the day. [10MR 233]

A worker cannot gain success while he hurries through his prayers to God, and rushes away to look after something that he fears may be neglected or forgotten. He takes time to give only a few hurried thoughts to God, that is all. He does not give himself time to think, to pray, to wait upon the Lord for a renewal of spiritual and physical strength. [LHU 263]

"Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work"
Oswald Chambers

Often times ministry is our biggest hindrance to quality time with God. Many of us become like Martha, so busy serving God, but not taking the time to listen to Him (Luke 10:38-42). Many times we wonder why our ministries don't have power. But how can we share Jesus if we left Him at home? And how can we share Him if we're not even sure we know Him for ourselves? That comes from spending meaningful time with Him.

So remember, it does not matter what other people think, it does not matter what we think, it only matters is what God knows. In order to know what God knows, we should spend that meaningful time in prayer with Him.

A self-forgetful praying Christian is consumed with the image of Jesus Christ.