...although I still have struggles, I know those struggles have no power over me.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
For the past six months, Philippians 2:3-4 has played in my mind like a broken record. Learning to embody Christ means laying down my wants, dreams, and desires in exchange for His, doing so with a humble heart and spirit. Being like Jesus often looks more like servanthood than leadership or authority. Being like Jesus also requires us to value the needs of others above ourselves. But this isn't natural to our human nature.
Our Human Nature
Take a child, for example. No one has to teach them to cry, whine, lie, or steal when they don't get their way; they just do. We are creatures of habit. So when we see Mom or Dad fighting, we think it's okay to argue with others. Our sister stole a cookie out of the cookie jar, so why shouldn't we? Hogging all the toys so we don't have to acquire the patience to share looks appealing and seems way easier than the latter. But Christ doesn't call us to the easy path or the one with less resistance. Christ calls us to be like Him. And that begins with being humble, teachable, and honest servants.
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus gives the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. From the outside looking in, the Pharisee is highly esteemed and favorable. He's quote-on-quote "religious," and people respect him. The Tax Collector, on the other hand, is hated by society—known for stealing, fraud, and deception, even the greatest people didn't want to be seen with or around them. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that Jesus spent most of His time with people just like the Tax Collector. Why is this so shocking?
The Pharisees should've known and represented Jesus best. To the world, they appeared righteous and holy. They could quote Scripture like it was their back hand and had memorized every inch of the Law. But on the inside, Jesus says they were rotting, the filth of a dirty cup (Matthew 23:26). And though they understood the Law intellectually, I'm not sure they ever let it permeate and penetrate their hearts.
The tax collectors, on the other hand, knew their faults and sins. I often wonder if this is why Jesus called Matthew (a former tax collector) to be one of His disciples. Tax collectors could be sneaky and mischievous. They were clever and cunning at taxing more than was due and keeping the profit for themselves. Imagine them as kind of like the government. Some people obey because they have to, but most of us are less than pleased when the government issues a new tax or fee we're responsible for paying.
A Lesson From the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
The lesson here is this: When the Pharisee and Tax Collector went into the Temple to pray to God, their conversations went something like this:
Pharisee: "God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get" (Luke 18:11-12, NIV).
Tax Collector: From a distance, shaking his head side to side and beating his chest in remorse, the Tax Collector prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13, NIV).
It was the Tax Collector who went home justified before God because those who recognize their need for a Savior are the ones who truly understand the gospel. Not those who think they know everything and have their lives perfectly pieced together.
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:14 (NIV)
Remember, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”(Luke 5:31-32, NIV).
An Example from Joyce
If we know we're called to live this holy lifestyle, what makes obedience so difficult? Why is it challenging to offer ourselves as living and pleasing sacrifices to the Lord? Furthermore, why does our nation need a "holy rebellion"?
At our core, we are not good people. It's in our nature to be selfish, arrogant, prideful, boastful, and proud. We have to actively work against this flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit. And though all humans (even non-Christians) are capable of possessing and maintaining "goodness," this is because Christ created all of us in His image.
I'm ashamed to write this, but there was a time in my life when I possessed "godliness" like the Pharisees. From the outside looking in, I was good and godly. I hosted events, volunteered my time, and gave everything I had to obey the gospel. But my heart wasn't in it. I often did things for the wrong reasons, whether self-gratification or trying to impress others. And on the inside, I was rotting, moldy, and stinky. If we're honest, I'm sure most of us have done these things.
Today, God has done a restorative act in my life. I'm no longer chained to the way I was or the things I used to do. I still have to check myself daily. It takes work to align my heart with His. It isn't easy to make sure your motives are pure. But although I still have struggles, I know those struggles have no power over me.
This past weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to dance for a large Christian dance and music festival in Madison Heights, Michigan. The goal was to share the gospel, and everyone at the event was a volunteer. What stood out to me most was the motive of the people: Performer after performer shared their testimony of how God changed their life. The focus on Christ and the selfless behavior of every individual left me in awe. If you've never seen hundreds of people performing for the sole purpose of ministry and not applause, you need to.
Two days before the event, I badly strained my ankle in dance practice. I was devastated. I'd practiced three months to prepare for this event and was set to minister with three dances and two testimonies. The morning we drove to the event, we called the director of the event (Joyce) and told her what had happened. She was so chill and calm it blew my mind. What she said will never leave me: "Even if all you can share is your testimony, that's what matters most."
This took me by surprise, but she was right. At that moment, I had to check myself and my heart. Because this event wasn't about dance. It was a dance/music festival centered on Christ. And if Christ was all I could share, I had all I needed.
By the grace of God, I was able to dance and share my testimony. I consider it a miracle of many prayers that God gave me the strength to push through. I also consider it a miracle that after our dancing, numerous people told me the testimonies we shared impacted them. The dancing did too, but God wanted me to see something. He wanted me to see that the call of all our hearts is a holy rebellion. A daily rebellion of surrendering our desires to Christ (even good things), and relinquishing control.
It's not going to be easy. Our hearts are sinful and prideful at best. But through Jesus and the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, we can start a holy rebellion all over this planet. We can witness people dedicating their lives to humble sacrifice and surrender, not for self-gratification, but dedication to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The One who gave His all for us, And we're called to give Him our hearts in return—humble, meek, and teachable spirits.
Let's Pray
Dear Jesus, create in us clean spirits. Lord, renew the right hearts within us. Make us like you, and don't turn your face away from us, but show us your light. For, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:10-11 [paraphrased];16-17, quoted, BSB, with emphasis). Amen.
Agape, Amber
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