The greatest among you will be the one who always serves others from the heart. Remember this: If you have a lofty opinion of yourself and seek to be honored, you will be humbled. But if you have a modest opinion of yourself and choose to humble yourself, you will be honored.” Matthew 23: 11 - 12 TPT
“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty. Matthew 23:11-12 MSG
2 verses; 2 versions; same message. The way up is the way down. The opposite is also equally true. If I will amount to anything by God's standard, I have to be content with anonymity. Being popular or generally accepted by the world is not a requirement for service in God's vineyard, so I do not need to kill myself to get them. All I need is a clear understanding of who I am working for, what I have been chosen and gifted to do, how I am to impact the generation He has called me to, and when I am to quit. When these are settled, impact is non-negotiable.
Let's look at the context: Jesus taught that it is the way of the world to carry yourself in a manner befitting your status. Men of this world understand power, privilege and position but they know nothing about their source and purpose. And of course, when the purpose of a thing is not understood or defined, abuse is inevitable. Jesus' teaching here leaves 1 incredible impression: if you know whose you are, nothing is ever beneath you as long as it has been commanded by God. Men who have to announce themselves or who need to be recognized know that they do not have anything to offer.
And you can pretend all you want that you are humble and ready to serve; the creator of the heart and the searcher of motives knows when service is sincere or hypocritical. It is even the height of foolishness to imagine that any mortal man can deceive the One who gave him form and life. If I will go up, I must be willing and ready to serve at the bottom. No truly great and Godly man started from the top; God had to take them through a process of building character, so He could trust them with dizzying heights only possible for those who allow God to deal with self in them.
Serve; but do it with a humble heart. Be willing to be stepped on or abused; it is part of the process of honour by God's standard. Put your heart into your commission and God will commission great and mighty assignments into your heart and hands, by which His glory and praise will be made manifest in and through you. His time of favour is here.
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