“The Foolishness of My Looking Down on You or Up to You”
Wait just a minute, aren’t we supposed to look up to certain people who are role models? I would guess that you could think of a few people immediately who come to mind who are good role models. And that is a good thing! You can probably think of a few who certainly are not worthy role models for your consideration, if you were looking for mentors to help you live a great life.
When Jesus spoke the words in Matthew 5:3, he said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Right? As we discussed this in a Bible study some years back, we applied this to the truth that we are all100% in need of God’s love and resources 100% of the time. Since the “poor in spirit” phrase refers to someone who recognizes their desperate need for God, that truly levels the ground before God because we are all just that needy of Him.
Do you believe you are desperately needy of God’s love and resources all the time? Do you recognize that just as you are that needy, so am I, and so are others (all others) who walk the earth…ever have lived and ever will live? If this is true, and I firmly believe it is, then I have no reason or right to think that I am better than or more important than anyone else. We have no right to feel superior; nor do we have any reason to think so.
A lady came up to me after the Bible study that night and said to me, “Dave, I also believe that this truth, Universal Need, means that I have no right to feel inferior to others either.” I thought about it a moment and several moments since and concluded she is right.
My wife is just as important and valuable to God as I, people of other nations, colors, social standing, education, heritage, etc. are just as valuable to God as I am. And, I am just as valued and loved by God as any others. So what? I am glad you asked.
So, as people made in the image of God, created to bring joy to the heart of God, and loved by Him, I am not to harbor thoughts or feelings of superiority or inferiority to you or anyone else. Yes, the Bible says we are to honor others as more important in putting their needs above our own, but that is our response to love others as God does. It doesn’t mean they are more loved or any less needy.
Whenever you begin to feel superior because you have more or better stuff than others, remember you are just as needy of God’s love and resources as they. And should you begin to feel inferior to another person because you don’t think you measure up to some arbitrary standard, remember that they are just as needy of God’s love and provision as you, and that is 100% needy, 100% of the time.
So don’t let thoughts or feelings of inferiority stop you from loving others due to being intimidated; neither should you stop loving others because you feel superior. They need God’s love too. Just remember God’s attitude toward you . You are loved and “fearfully and wonderfully made”. Now, let’s get up and go love this lost lonely world in Jesus’ name. John 3:16; Psalm 139: 13-18
So, look at how God works to keep me from feeling superior or inferior to others. He uses us to help meet the needs and to love others, and He allows others to love and meet some of the needs in our life, but we can’t love others or sacrifice enough to make others completely satisfied and truly fulfilled. God does that in our personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord.