God’s Esteem

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”   —Romans 12:3

This past week I had the privilege of reconnecting with an old friend and fellow pastor, Jonathan Bell. Jonathan recently returned from seven months of active duty serving as a Chaplain of the Air National Guard in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Octavius V. Catto Medal for “dedicated, brave and efficient” service in the Guard. He was the first ever to receive it in the 130 years of the award’s existence. Later, as we said our goodbyes, I encouraged Jonathan to walk with the Lord as he seeks to be faithful as a Medal winner, Major, Chaplain, Pastor, Husband, Father, Son, and, oh yes, a Child of God.

“Who is this guy?” I thought. Jonathan seems to be much like the Apostle Paul seeking to become “all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).  I first knew Jonathan as a young person leading the Connellsville District Youth, but he is also a preacher’s kid, the son of a clergy couple. He is the husband of Annie and father of three boys. Jonathan is a Major and Chaplain in the Air National Guard, and the pastor of the Blacklick Community United Methodist Church.

Think about the many roles and positions YOU fill. Who are you? The emphasis on self-esteem these days causes us to continually ask the question, “Who am I?” There is so much pressure to discover who we are that many persons leave hometowns, jobs, churches, and even families to go off somewhere to find themselves. Sadly, some never return. One counselor I know foresees a future where there will be a one to one relationship between the population and the number of counselors. Everyone will have their own personal counselor.

Instead of seeking self-esteem, why don’t we try finding God’s esteem? Who does God think we are? When Jesus was baptized by John, God spoke to Him audibly from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). The Bible also states directly how God feels about you and me. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Again in Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” As I understand these verses, the Bible teaches that God loves us as much as God loves Jesus. We are children of God, heirs of God, and co-heirs with Jesus.

Having God’s esteem for ourselves won’t give us overinflated egos. Yes, if we only read the child of God and heirs of God verses, we might get swelled heads, but the Bible cautions us not to think too highly of ourselves, but to soberly consider who we are in Christ and how God has gifted us (Rom. 12:3). The Bible clearly states that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23).

God loves and accepts us in spite of our sins. Jesus took the punishment for our sins. The Gospel message may be described in terms of God’s love for us. God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die in our place, accepts us where we are, and finally, loves us too much to leave us there.

What is God’s esteem for you and me? Yes, we have sinned and don’t deserve God’s love, but God loves us so much that, when we turn to Him, He meets us where we are, makes us His children, and empowers us to be anything He wants us to be. Lift your head up high. Receive God’s love in Jesus Christ and be the child of God you were created to be.