I just finished Tim Keller's The Freedom of Forgetfulness. I must say this is a book I should read and reread over and over--continuously. This is a very short read that challenges us on the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians (see below). Keller argues that the root of most of our problems is a puffed up ego filled with pride. The most convicting part to me though is that those of us self-deprecating folks are just as self-centered as our prideful counterpart. Our goal, like Paul, should be self forgetfulness.
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
"They would not always be telling us they were a nobody (because a person who keeps saying they are a nobody is actually a self-obsessed person)."
"...the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less."
"A truly gospel-humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a gospel humble person. The truly gospel-humble person is a self-forgetful person..."
As you'll read in the below verses, Paul likens judgment toward himself and from others to a courtroom. We perform daily to attain a verdict in our favor validating our works. We want our own approval and other's approval. But Keller says this, "Do you realize that it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance?" He explains that the moment we believe, the verdict is in. "God imputes Christ's perfect performance to us as if it were our own, and adopts us into His family."
God--please help me think of myself less and remember daily the verdict was in the first day I placed my faith in the Cross.
"So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future —all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Now,
brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your
benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do
not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7
