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Resource - Meditations
December 1999
Trowel – Building
A Score Out Of Ten
Rev John Ter Horst
How do you see yourself? No, I don’t mean by looking in the mirror,
especially first thing in the morning. What is your view of self? When
speaking with people I sometimes ask them to do some self examination by
way of the following exercise. “Give yourself a score out of ten. A
score of ‘one’ if you are not happy with yourself. A score of ‘ten’ if
you’re extremely happy with yourself. Or a score somewhere in between
those two depending on how you feel.” As you read these lines, think for
a moment about how you might answer that question. Did you do it? Why
not?
How we see, or perhaps ‘evaluate’ ourselves has been a popular topic of
discussion and debate for a long time. Over a period of many years I
have collected at least six secular, and six Christian books on topics
related to self-esteem. I have met people at both extremes. I have
listened, not always patiently, to the self-righteous bragging about
themselves and their accomplishments. Yes, and I say it with sadness,
these were people belonging to a church. At the other end of the scale I
have met the opposite. I have hugged and cuddled people who have
inflicted, sometimes serious, injury upon themselves because they saw
themselves as useless and worthless. Yes, and I say it with sadness,
these too were people belonging to a church.
At times people who think very little of themselves, have that view
re-reinforced by other well-meaning but insensitive Christians,
including pastors. Well over two decades ago Dr. Anthony A. Hoekema
protested; “... many of us tend to look only at our depravity and not
our renewal. We have been writing our continuing sinfulness in capital
letters, and our newness in Christ in small letters. We believe in our
depravity so strongly we think we have to practice it, while we hardly
dare to believe in our newness.” (The Christian Looks At Himself) That
is an unbalanced, unbiblical view of the believer. As a Christian, you
are the child of almighty God, a co-heir with Jesus of all God’s
blessings.
Yes, I know, sin still remains a part of our life. That is why the
Scripture exhorts us with words like these; “... continue to work out
your salvation with fear and trembling,” (Philippians 2:12b) and, “...
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 3:18a)
Allow me to make a confession. I still sin every day. And more often
than not I am painfully aware of that sin which seeks to drive a wedge
in between my God and me. I am still a sinner, and so are you. But, we
are redeemed sinners! We ought never lose sight of that.
There is a danger in that. The danger that we see ourselves as redeemed,
but leave out the concept of our ongoing struggle. A struggle summarised
in, “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7:21)
Let’s be Biblical in our understanding of what it means to live as
redeemed sinners. It does not mean we live without sin. Cornelius
Platinga Jr. writes as he recounts a story Evelyn Newman used to tell.
It’s a story about a minister who came upon two boys and a dog. In a
friendly, patronising way, the minister asked the boys what they were
doing. “Well,” said one of them, “we found this dog. And we’re going to
have a contest for him. Whichever of us can tell the biggest lie gets to
keep the dog.” The minister was shocked. “Boys,” he said. “That’s no
business! You must not lie. Why, when I was your age, I never told any
lies!” There was a moment of silence. Then one boy shrugged and said,
“Well, I guess he gets the dog.” (Beyond Doubt)
Yes, Christians are still sinners. But we are redeemed sinners!
A Prayer: Gracious God, ‘even though my conscience accuses me
of having grievously sinned against all your commandments and of never
having kept any of them, ... nevertheless, ... out of sheer grace, you
grant and credit to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and
holiness of Christ, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was
obedient for me. And all I need to do is accept this gift of yours with
a believing heart.’ Thank you my Father. Amen.
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