You’ve heard about “self-made” people, what kind of person does that conjure up?
The connotations are that of a person who by individual will and ambition was able to achieve something greater than most. In addition, maybe someone who comes from a non-privileged childhood and did not have most of the benefits of a “good” upbringing, strong family, a sound education. Moreover, it could also someone who struck out at a young age, diverting from the family tradition and followed his own drummer, finding his or her own opportunities through boldness and grit, emboldened an uncanny awareness of a very strong marketable trait or ability, leading to an independent lifestyle.
A “self-made” person can be anywhere on the spiritual spectrum and offer influence in any aspect of society. Though “self-made” suggests someone who has not given much credit to a spiritual higher power for their achievements. That person may have a strong sense of morality, of what is right or wrong, or what they believe is right or wrong. Whether the person is like a Mother Theresa, a Steve Jobs, a General George Patton, or an Adolf Hitler, they would have strong guiding principles.
Being biblically and born-again involves substantial filters in how we value actions and achievement. As the culture promotes a certain spectrum of role model, being a child of the living God has its own.
7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? – Galatians 4:7-9
In our effort to find our own purpose in life (we often associate self-made people with strong self-purposes) we may view a self-made person as a role model (hopefully the more positive ones). Exercising your knowledge of God’s values and seeking to please Him will have a strong influence on what qualities you find worthy in other people. One of the benchmark you will begin to establish as a Christian is gauging eternal value. On the other hand, one who is driven by worldly standards only seeks worldly or temporal rewards and may retain an uncertain knowledge of eternity.
Yet Christ taught much to establish knowledge of not only that the soul is eternal in nature but also of a bodily resurrection.
35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? – Mark 8:35-37
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. – 2 Corinthians 5:1
Sometimes your ability to discern achievements within in the church will need to be processed through a biblical filter.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. -1 John 4:1-3
Uniquely Made
When the attributes of a “self-made” role model runs into the truth that we are all made in God’s image, an understanding of God’s providence develops, and one can begin to see unique features in themselves and others granted by a heavenly Creator rather than attributing change to mere individual self-will.
Goals in leading your own family, guiding and disciplining them in the faith and ways of the Lord is one of the most important spiritual responsibilities to seek understanding and implementing. There are many passages in the Bible pertaining to family relationships and bringing about change within your own family could be the most difficult and most significant and most satisfying work you get to do.
God loved us first while we were yet sinners or at enmity with God, grasping this truth can make all the difference.
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:17-19
The Apostle Paul exhorts us that the path to sanctification involves separating ourselves from the ways of the world: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2
Jesus was both fully man and fully God. He presented us a window into the ways and nature of God, helping us transition our thinking from a world perspective to a heavenly and eternal kingdom.
Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” – John 18:36
From the Sermon on the Mount: 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. – Matthew 6:19-21
While to the non-believer or a new Christian these heavenly perspective seem far fetched or unthinkable, once a person becomes born-again, the Holy Spirit begins a transformation of the heart-mind that begins to help the person gain understanding of the truth and awareness of the unique-self created in them by the Creator. It’s a personal miracle.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38
For a detailed explanation of who Jesus Christ is from the Bible’s perspective go to the video in this website , “Who is Jesus Christ?”
For a one minute explanation of the Gospel, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCP9UcC7BzE
For a review of the Ten Commandments: https://www.challenyee.com/the-ten-commandments/
CKY
P.S. Typos and all, I do not use AI.
Sunset photo in Hawaii (Maui) is from my personal stock.