You Must Not Take Glory Unto Yourself

You fret because you know you are not what you should be, but please don't forget this is the very reason Jesus came. Instead of simmering with resentful angst because you fall short, choose to humbly rejoice because Jesus has bridged the gap. Just as you are, this moment, you are saved. Your predominant emotion should be that of relief. Instead, you continue to plot ways to appear  good enough to have earned your own salvation. And make no mistake, Child; 99% of your upset has to do with appearances. You are humiliated by the imperfection that is apparent for the world to see. This is the disgrace you dread. You  desire to appear righteous with a righteousness your own. No, do not build a case in your own defense; you are not the sole exception to the rule that there is no righteousness apart from God.

You act as though Jesus' blood has covered everyone else but you. You've justified this desire as being valid because of the difficult times you survived in childhood, but your righteousness, the only righteousness possible for you, rests entirely in the Lord. As you participate in the divine nature, His righteousness becomes yours. He will not allow you to discipline your body for the sake of outward appearances.  The Lord will not allow the pursuit of righteousness for any reason other than a desire for oneness with Him. 


As God allows you to make progress along the road of righteousness, you MUST NOT take glory unto yourself. You will become bitter. Don’t you see this is what happens? When one’s own efforts earn a positive outcome that is favorable in the eyes of the world, bitterness results.  Effort nets accomplishment, accomplishment wins worldly favor, and pride (the pride of Nebuchadnezzar) grows, cutting off relationship with God. Now needy, the prideful person condemns the lesser humans who are not adequately meeting his/her needs. Finally, bitterness takes root, bitterness because “I am worth so much and have done so much and these peons do not love me as I deserve.”

The only cure for terminal self-centeredness is to abide in the Lord. Let "To God be the Glory" become your heartfelt anthem and your battle cry. There is no other path to perfection; this is the only road that will lead you straight into His arms.