Status

<<rank, position>>

The world puts great emphasis on wealth, power and beauty but overlooks the inner character qualities and a person’s ‘standing’ in Christ – with whom Christians are co-heirs (Rom 8:17; Eph 3:6; Col 1:12). God looks at the heart, rather than the outward appearance (as we are prone to) often choosing the

Am I buying into the world’s value system or remaining true to God’s appraisal?

lowly and despised, desiring to work through them so the glory goes to Him (1 Sam 16:7; 1 Cor 1:26-2:5). The Bible says it is wrong to shun those who appear to be failures while showing favouritism to those who appear to be successful (Jas 2:1-9).

The Pharisees tried to impress with their seeming importance yet Jesus said this was futile as God, whose judgement and rewards are fair, is not swayed by personal status and standing in society (Mt 6:1-5,16, 23:5-7; Gal 2:6, 6:5-8). Jesus gave up His status and position in heaven to come to earth to redeem us, reinforcing the principle, that the greatest in the Kingdom of God are the servants of all (Mt 20:28, 23:11). Paul could have boasted about his record of achievements yet he considered it rubbish compared to what he had in Christ (Phil 3:4-11).

Everyone is a sinner in need of a Saviour. Believers are just ‘sinners save by grace’ and we are to love and share the gospel with all people, regardless of their nationality, gender, age, or economic status (Gal 3:28). While there are different callings on various individual Christians, all need the cleansing blood and the empowering of the Holy Spirit to attain

Is my self-belief based on God’s opinion or men’s?

what He desires.