The Greatest of All
What would you say represents greatness?
The world is always calculating on which person, place, or thing is greater than another. But our world ranks things on the wrong criteria. What is often considered 'great' is they eyes of man is rarely deemed good in the eyes of God. The world esteems outward appearances of beauty and power and the natural talents and accomplishments of man who make it to the limelight as something of greatness.
But the world's greatness is often utter foolishness to God. The problem has always been in the heart. The selfishness that dwells in the hearts and minds of man, when left unchecked and unrestrained, leads to pride and self destruction.
At an early point in history, God saw it fit to cleanse the entire world of such self-imposed greatness with a worldwide flood...
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5)
Although the LORD God said made a promise not to judge the entire world in a flood ever again, He sent Jesus into the world to change the hearts of mankind in order to cleanse our hearts from sin and pride and to reconcile us to Himself through His gift of salvation in His only Son.
The Bible tells us that all of us "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We can try to ignore our sin or compare ourselves to someone who we think is more sinful than we are but we all fall short of the holiness and greatness of our God.
This is why John the Baptist was sent ahead of the Lord to call people to "repent" (to change our way of thinking and living) and to know that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand". We must learn to decrease by denying our selves that Christ might increase and be made manifest in our lives.
It was for this reason that Jesus said of all men born of woman, there was NONE GREATER than John the Baptist, but those who are least in the kingdom are greater than he. To be considered 'great' in God's kingdom, we must fist be born again of the Spirit and then the servant of all.
Jeremiah the prophet said, "And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”
Between now and when Jesus comes back to this earth, He is doing a great work of building His Church and expanding His kingdom to make His Name great on this earth. Is this what you are invested in and spending your life for?
Ever since John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord and to make His paths straight, we see that our great responsibility is to point people to Jesus Christ. As John did in the first coming of Christ, we are called to help prepare our own hearts and that of others to behold and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord before He comes again.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matt. 25;31-33).
Isn't it interesting that the goats represent those who are not in the fold of Christ and yet the world is enamored by the goats. In fact, we have use the acronym, "G.O.A.T." for what the world considers is the Greatest Of All Time.
O how we need to see that ALL GREATNESS COMES FROM GOD and that our lives are best lived when we live for His greatness alone!
May we join with the psalmist and declare...
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable...Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness." (Psalm 145:3, 6)
Something for you to consider:
Can you honestly say that you are living for the greatness of God at this time in your life?
Are you spending your time, effort, and energy for that which God would say is great or are you too busy focusing on the goats of this age?
Remember that in the end, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats for He knows and will reward those who are truly His!
The world is always calculating on which person, place, or thing is greater than another. But our world ranks things on the wrong criteria. What is often considered 'great' is they eyes of man is rarely deemed good in the eyes of God. The world esteems outward appearances of beauty and power and the natural talents and accomplishments of man who make it to the limelight as something of greatness.
But the world's greatness is often utter foolishness to God. The problem has always been in the heart. The selfishness that dwells in the hearts and minds of man, when left unchecked and unrestrained, leads to pride and self destruction.
At an early point in history, God saw it fit to cleanse the entire world of such self-imposed greatness with a worldwide flood...
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5)
Although the LORD God said made a promise not to judge the entire world in a flood ever again, He sent Jesus into the world to change the hearts of mankind in order to cleanse our hearts from sin and pride and to reconcile us to Himself through His gift of salvation in His only Son.
The Bible tells us that all of us "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We can try to ignore our sin or compare ourselves to someone who we think is more sinful than we are but we all fall short of the holiness and greatness of our God.
This is why John the Baptist was sent ahead of the Lord to call people to "repent" (to change our way of thinking and living) and to know that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand". We must learn to decrease by denying our selves that Christ might increase and be made manifest in our lives.
It was for this reason that Jesus said of all men born of woman, there was NONE GREATER than John the Baptist, but those who are least in the kingdom are greater than he. To be considered 'great' in God's kingdom, we must fist be born again of the Spirit and then the servant of all.
Jeremiah the prophet said, "And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”
Between now and when Jesus comes back to this earth, He is doing a great work of building His Church and expanding His kingdom to make His Name great on this earth. Is this what you are invested in and spending your life for?
Ever since John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord and to make His paths straight, we see that our great responsibility is to point people to Jesus Christ. As John did in the first coming of Christ, we are called to help prepare our own hearts and that of others to behold and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord before He comes again.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matt. 25;31-33).
Isn't it interesting that the goats represent those who are not in the fold of Christ and yet the world is enamored by the goats. In fact, we have use the acronym, "G.O.A.T." for what the world considers is the Greatest Of All Time.
O how we need to see that ALL GREATNESS COMES FROM GOD and that our lives are best lived when we live for His greatness alone!
May we join with the psalmist and declare...
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable...Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness." (Psalm 145:3, 6)
Something for you to consider:
Can you honestly say that you are living for the greatness of God at this time in your life?
Are you spending your time, effort, and energy for that which God would say is great or are you too busy focusing on the goats of this age?
Remember that in the end, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats for He knows and will reward those who are truly His!
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