Heart Talks on Holiness

[Lizbeth]

Like he admits it not scriptural.

Its really simple. Believers obey , submit to the Lord, humble themselves and follow His commands or they serve themselves and their will by sinning against God. A disciple as Jesus taught is one who denies themselves, takes up their cross daily( die to self,live for Him) and follows Him. When we walk humbly before our God then He will live in and through us to do His will. The fruit of the spirit will be evident and others will see the love of Christ working in and through us. All men will know you are My disciples by your love for one another. 1 Cor 13 outlines what that looks like. The real question is are we submitting our wills to His will daily and living for Him. Even Jesus submitted His will to the Father will. Nevertheless not My will be done but Your will be done. Jesus submitted His will unto death to the Fathers will as did the Apostles as martyrs who drank the same cup as Jesus who promised them they would drink. The cup of suffering, persecution and martyrdom.

In Matthew 26:39, Jesus says, "If it be your will, let this cup pass from me." Jesus tells us precisely what the cup was. It was the cup of his suffering, which meant that He would die an agonizing death as a martyr. In the passage below, Jesus told His disciples that they would also drink of the same "cup":

Matthew 20:17-
Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

I gather that Andrew Murray stops short of teaching the second blessing as a doctrine, but as a reality and experience that some believers will go on to experience. This is like a testimony of someone I know on another forum, who has testified of something similar, but who doesn't teach it as a doctrine, only as a testimony.

I can tell you that I've wondered for a long time about the Israelites needing to cross the Jordan river, a second body of water after the Red Sea crossing, in order to enter the land of promise. Consecrated and "circumcised a second time". I think that is not something to take lightly as an example and allegory to the church, since the waters were at flood stage and God stopped the flow of water all the way back to a town called "Adam", if we can see what is implied there in an allegory. I've also realized for a long time that my efforts to serve the Lord have been mixed with fleshly self-effort and often fall short. We also have a pattern in the life of Moses, I believe, how he began his walk with stumbling (how I see myself as often stumbling and bumbling in trying to serve God), and then needing a wilderness experience to die to himself, to his flesh, before he was truly ready to fulfill his calling.

What also is interesting in the parable of the talents....everyone is not equal but are given their own measure of grace and faith in the beginning.....but it appears we are expected to double (x2 ) whatever our initial measure was.

 

[ChristisGod]

I gather that Andrew Murray stops short of teaching the second blessing as a doctrine, but as a reality and experience that some believers will go on to experience. This is like a testimony of someone I know on another forum, who has testified of something similar, but who doesn't teach it as a doctrine, only as a testimony.

I can tell you that I've wondered for a long time about the Israelites needing to cross the Jordan river, a second body of water after the Red Sea crossing, in order to enter the land of promise. Consecrated and "circumcised a second time". I think that is not something to take lightly as an example and allegory to the church, since the waters were at flood stage and God stopped the flow of water all the way back to a town called "Adam", if we can see what is implied there in an allegory. I've also realized for a long time that my efforts to serve the Lord have been mixed with fleshly self-effort and often fall short. We also have a pattern in the life of Moses, I believe, how he began his walk with stumbling (how I see myself as often stumbling and bumbling in trying to serve God), and then needing a wilderness experience to die to himself, to his flesh, before he was truly ready to fulfill his calling.

What also is interesting in the parable of the talents....everyone is not equal but are given their own measure of grace and faith in the beginning.....but it appears we are expected to double (x2 ) whatever our initial measure was.

Everyone is gifted by God and responsible to use those giftings for building His kingdom. It’s what we do with those gifts God has equipped believes with that will be tested and by which believers will receive rewards or have them taken away at the judgment seat of Christ . It’s not a matter of a second blessing but a matter of being faithful to what God has called you to in this life and how He has equipped you to serve with your spiritual gifts. Does that make sense ?

 

[Brakelite]

My testimony is that I have received far more than just a second blessing. I have lost count of the number of growing revelations regarding the character of my Savior, the work of the gospel in the heart, the depths of sin and the habits, even addictions, in my life, the overwhelming love and grace and power of the God who can heal, deliver, and set free this old man from those same habits, and also all those who come to Him through Jesus.
Each new revelation of truth, each new discovery in God's word, each new revelation of Jesus is a wonderful blessing, and because God is infinite, so also will the numbers of revelations, and therefore blessings, one can expect as he draws closer to His Savior.
I'm not sure what this so called second blessing is some are talking about. Does it lift one into a higher plane of spiritual insight, knowledge, holiness... Like some modern Loyola? A mystic experience where one becomes one with, what, the tree of knowledge? Mmm. Such unbiblical teachings ought to be met with a certain amount of cynicism me thinks, particularly when those offering it are saying others don't have it and need to jump through certain hoops in order to "get it".

 

[marks]

I gather that Andrew Murray stops short of teaching the second blessing as a doctrine, but as a reality and experience that some believers will go on to experience. This is like a testimony of someone I know on another forum, who has testified of something similar, but who doesn't teach it as a doctrine, only as a testimony.

I can tell you that I've experience several instances in my life that have been transformative at a foundational level.

I had been desiring more power in my life, and I asked for more power. God directed me to have my then pastor lay hands on me for the Holy Spirit. After that prayer, after I felt Him fill me with power, I knew my life would not be the same again. And it wasn't. But then, there was another time I wasn't asking at all, He just did a transformative work, and told me as He did it. And in another time, He pulled me deep into a pit, and sat with me in darkness, and brought me out with a far greater faith, and understanding.

And I know others who received in their conversion what many wait years for, in spiritual deliverance.

I agree, this is having to do with our personal testimony. I think it's best understood and related in Biblical terms. And the wilderness walk makes a compelling illustration of how some of us begin our Christian lives.

They were awed by His presence, and committed to obey. But they wandered in the wilderness, complaining, carrying about their idols, until the adults were all dead, and the children were grown. And then they crossed the Jordan, taking up stones to say, When the Ark of the Covenant passed, the waters were stopped. And they entered the promised land, there to begin to kill the giants, the inhabitants of the land, and there to begin to take possession of the land.

Much love!

 

[marks]

since the waters were at flood stage and God stopped the flow of water all the way back to a town called "Adam",

Stopping the flow from Adam as they put the ark of the covenant there to make it so? That does really sound like something we experience!

Maybe what I think is this, that there is so much in these passages that we will all find parts to relate to our lives, to illustrate for us what God is doing, but just like our lives are different, so will be how we relate to all these different events in Israel's history.

Certain things are named as being types for us, the Red Sea, the Rock giving water, the manna, those who were overthrown in the wilderness, and these I see having certain meanings, certain things God wants us to see illustrated.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Such unbiblical teachings ought to be met with a certain amount of cynicism me thinks, particularly when those offering it are saying others don't have it and need to jump through certain hoops in order to "get it".

I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught.

I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills.

I believe His promise, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, in the ways He has said.

Much love!

 

[Laurina]

Holiness is a very important topic, in my opinion, and I'm very interested in it. I would like to know what Brengle believes about other things though, such as imputed righteousness and whether a soul can inherit eternal life without having faith in Christ. Do you happen to know?

You'd have to do your own research....this is the first book of his that I am reading.

 

[ChristisGod]

I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught.

I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills.

I believe His promise, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, in the ways He has said.

Much love!

Yes we are commanded to be filled with the spirit and not to grieve Him .?

 

[Laurina]

I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught.

I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills.

I believe His promise, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, in the ways He has said.

Much love!

Have you ever read Jessie Penn Lewis' autobiography? Called, "The Leading of the Lord: A Spiritual Autobiography"?

Ask, seek, knock shouldn't be a one time occurrence. Remember, Jesus after healing the 10 lepers and only 1 came back to thank Him asked about the other 9. I believe He wants us to come back to Him, He desires relationship. How do you know that God is not testing you to see if you will come back to Him? That's how I look at it....at what point will you (I) be satisfied with what He gives us? The way I see it is if we are satisfied with less, we will get less. I don't want to be satisfied....happy yes, but not satisfied where I don't ask, seek or knock anymore. We have not because we ask not or, we ask with the wrong motive.

When you say this:
"I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught." I can possibly understand that you could see this as a lack of faith but then when you say this:
"I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills." it kind of negates your first statement. He can give us any number but just not 2? To me, I don't understand these two statements one after another from the same speaker.

In reading about Wigglesworth's life (quite a character!), he wouldn't leave his house or the place he was staying without a flesh filling of God's Spirit, even if it meant he was late for his speaking engagement.

Just my thoughts.....
still seeking....

 

[ChristisGod]

Have you ever read Jessie Penn Lewis' autobiography? Called, "The Leading of the Lord: A Spiritual Autobiography"?

Ask, seek, knock shouldn't be a one time occurrence. Remember, Jesus after healing the 10 lepers and only 1 came back to thank Him asked about the other 9. I believe He wants us to come back to Him, He desires relationship. How do you know that God is not testing you to see if you will come back to Him? That's how I look at it....at what point will you (I) be satisfied with what He gives us? The way I see it is if we are satisfied with less, we will get less. I don't want to be satisfied....happy yes, but not satisfied where I don't ask, seek or knock anymore. We have not because we ask not or, we ask with the wrong motive.

When you say this:
"I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught." I can possibly understand that you could see this as a lack of faith but then when you say this:
"I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills." it kind of negates your first statement. He can give us any number but just not 2? To me, I don't understand these two statements one after another from the same speaker.

In reading about Wigglesworth's life (quite a character!), he wouldn't leave his house or the place he was staying without a flesh filling of God's Spirit, even if it meant he was late for his speaking engagement.

Just my thoughts.....
still seeking....

Ephesians 5:18 says to all Christians, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." The verb "be filled" is famously a present tense verb which means to do it regularly, continually. Then it is an imperative verb, which means that it is a command and not a suggestion.

Its as simple as that obey the Lord and be continually filled with His Spirit.

 

[Lizbeth]

Everyone is gifted by God and responsible to use those giftings for building His kingdom. It’s what we do with those gifts God has equipped believes with that will be tested and by which believers will receive rewards or have them taken away at the judgment seat of Christ . It’s not a matter of a second blessing but a matter of being faithful to what God has called you to in this life and how He has equipped you to serve with your spiritual gifts. Does that make sense ?

Extra oil comes to mind with this, maybe.

I believe our measure of grace and faith is not just for spiritual gifts only, but also to have grace and faith to simply follow and obey the Lord, His will and personal leading in our lives. (Thinking of those who were saying, Lord, Lord...and Jesus said only he who does the will of the Father will enter...etc)

 

[Lizbeth]

I reject these ideas of a "second benefit" it is means that there is something that as a child of God we lack, and that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught.

I believe God gives us any number of fillings with the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish His work in and through us. And that God may step in and transform our lives in whatever way and time the He wills.

I believe His promise, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, in the ways He has said.

Much love!

What about the extra oil in the parable of ten virgins?

 

[ChristisGod]

What about the extra oil in the parable of ten virgins

keeping their lamps filled is like being continually filled with the spirit.

 

[Brakelite]

Stopping the flow from Adam as they put the ark of the covenant there to make it so? That does really sound like something we experience!

Maybe what I think is this, that there is so much in these passages that we will all find parts to relate to our lives, to illustrate for us what God is doing, but just like our lives are different, so will be how we relate to all these different events in Israel's history.

Certain things are named as being types for us, the Red Sea, the Rock giving water, the manna, those who were overthrown in the wilderness, and these I see having certain meanings, certain things God wants us to see illustrated.

Much love!

And all those things may have different applications to different situations and to different people in their different stages of growth and experience. One thing I love about God... He will ever remain the same, His standard of righteousness, the way of salvation will ever be the same, but because we are all so very different, having different life experiences, different upbringings, personalities, genetic inheritance, God will adapt those infinite never changing base Truths to suit our different needs, to bring us all into the one place, Him.

 

[Brakelite]

And the wilderness walk makes a compelling illustration of how some of us begin our Christian lives.

Don't forget that prophecy and history coincided when the church went into the wilderness to escape persecution. Their wilderness experience didn't mean a loss of spiritual strength or connection, but rather the opposite. Going into the wilderness for Jesus, John and Paul was a time for connection,a time to be filled with the Spirit, and each one came through with greater power to minister. Jesus returned to the wilderness many times to reconnect with His Father, to strengthen Himself for the work.

that lack prevents us from living as God tells us to live. Which is what I hear taught.

I think the lack doesn't lie with God's provision, but with our own willingness to surrender and obey God in all things. Revelation of truth does not come to those who have already chosen not to live by it.

I believe His promise, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness, in the ways He has said.

Amen

Ephesians 5:18 says to all Christians, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." The verb "be filled" is famously a present tense verb which means to do it regularly, continually. Then it is an imperative verb, which means that it is a command and not a suggestion.

Its as simple as that obey the Lord and be continually filled with His Spirit.

Amen. We cannot walk in the Spirit without being filled. For me, to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with Jesus. It is His Spirit. His power. We walk in and with Him continually. Without Him we can do nothing.

What about the extra oil in the parable of ten virgins?

That oil they must obtain for themselves. We cannot rely on others to see us through the hard times. Our immediate future is going to get steadily and rapidly worse. The events of the last days will be intense, but by the grace of God, short lived.
KJV Daniel 12:1
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Michael. That Great Prince. Child and Heir to the King. Stands in defense of His people. Archangel, meaning Head Messenger over all the angels... Otherwise known as Lord of hosts. Mentioned only twice in the NT, once as the raiser of Moses in Jude, and once as the defeater of Satan in Revelation 12.
He is described as standing up, after being seated with His Father on His Father's throne, at a time when His people are going through a time of trouble, a time never before experienced or seen at any time in human history. But to have such a hope that we can be confident of rescue when that time comes, we need to be connected to Him. In close personal obedient relationship. We do not want to be among the...
KJV Matthew 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

[quietthinker]

Holiness is not something one engages yada yada about, holiness is about being. You can be certain that those who keep on about it are using it to hide behind.

I love righteousness, however my experience and the the experience of others I know whose hearts are set on righteousness is that the closer they get to the Lord the more sinful they see themselves. It seems the fog of delusion is lifted and what I hate I do and what I love I don't.

When I read Romans 7 I get the impression Paul had the same awareness. He did not however dwell on it or allow this awareness to consume him. He looked away from himself and to another, a Saviour.....and that's what he spoke about.

 

[Laurina]

Here's the first page of Chapter 5:

"The Outcome of a Clean Heart.

David prayed, ‘‘Create within me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” He recognised that the blessing of a clean heart would give him wisdom and power and the spirit to teach sinners, and to so teach them that they would be converted. It is the same truth that Jesus expressed when He said, “ Cast the beam out of thine own eye, then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” The beam is inbred sin ; the mote is the transgressions that result from inbred sin. The following are some of the results of a clean heart :
I. A clean heart filled with the Spirit makes a soul- winner out of the man who receives the blessing. It was so on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples, having their hearts purified by fire and filled with the Holy Spirit, won three thousand souls to the Lord in one meeting. With the blessing of a clean heart comes a passion of love for Jesus, and with it a passionate desire for the salvation and sanctification of men. It makes apostles, prophets, martyrs, missionaries, and fiery-hearted soul-winners. It opens wide and clear the channel of communion between God and the soul, so that His power, the power of the Holy Ghost, works through him who has a clean heart, surely convicting and graciously converting and sanctifying souls."

Something to consider, if you are interested...

a seeker

 

[Lizbeth]

keeping their lamps filled is like being continually filled with the spirit.

Yes, true. There is a sense in which the extra oil will come from our initial deposit like the parable of the talents...they gained more by investing along the way, so to speak, their initial measure of grace and faith in order to receive more (twice as much). I notice that all ten of those virgins were running low on their initial deposit of oil. Only those who had brought extra oil, like a second deposit, were able to enter the wedding feast. Since the extra oil is something that needs to be purchased, I think we can see this along the lines that the wise ones had been buying it along the way, ie, paying the price to follow/obey Jesus. Investing their lives and what they had received in Him, in His kingdom and for His sake. Whereas the others had not. It seems the parable of the talents and the parable of the ten virgins are delivering essentially the same message.

We need to be careful with man-made terminology....it is sometimes useful to help us grasp a concept, but it is not to be taken as doctrine. "Second blessing" might be a bit of misnomer in some respects, though it may be accurately illustrative in other ways. I don't think anyone means to lead astray by calling it a second blessing as long as it is just a manner of speaking. As long as we know that our understanding and what we believe needs to always be pegged to scripture. I can say that I have never been confused by reading the testimonies of those who have experienced a "second blessing", whereas others who talk about something similar in this forum confuse me no end.

I think we need to beware of those who use their own terminology and words and allegories as doctrine, rather than the word of God. There is a difference between using one's own words just for illustrative purposes as opposed to using it as doctrine and essentially replacing God's word with one's own words. One's own words need to be accurately reflecting the word of God, and not trying to make His word secondary to one's own words. God's word is the only solid ground and foundation there is for walking on, so to speak. Whatever we say and believe needs to be pegged to scripture. The bible itself says the Lord "magnifies His word above all His name". We are to take every thought of ours captive (pegged) - coralled within the sheepfold of His word) to the obedience of Christ and His word......and the apostle instructs us to "not go beyond what is written". So evidently the possibility exists of "going beyond" it - which is what I call and believe observe to be, "new age" type of thinking - and going beyond the Lord was essentially Lucifer's downfall - due to vanity and being enamored with himself - setting his throne ABOVE the stars of God. We must not be enamoured with our own thinking and terminology as if we can be more clever than what God has written, for that will ensnare the soul.

I know I've gone on a bit of a ramble here, it's kind of background for something that I want to share, having to do with this topic, that the Lord just illuminated this morning. Separate post, so as to not make this one too long.

 

[Lizbeth]

Please do test this. It confirms the idea of a second blessing (so to speak) - it agrees with the idea of the extra oil of the one parable and the concept of doubling one's initial measure in the other parable. It is strong meat for sure, and a warning that we need to take seriously. I pray for the Lord to illuminate this to the eyes of our understanding.

Jesus is returning as a thief in the night......and as we know the 5 unwise virgins were unable to enter into the wedding feast when the bridegroom appeared, as well as where it says concerning the person with the one talent who had not gained any more, that he would lose even what he initially had upon the Master's return. Jesus coming as a thief will steal back from anyone what we initially had unless we have gained more. Only who endures to the end (finishing) will be saved.

Now looking at this, that Jesus taught - I had never quite understood this before:

Luk 14:27-35

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Agrees with Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith.)

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (The King is coming - Jesus!)

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. (TERMS OF SURRENDER!)

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath (surrendering all to Him) he cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, (running out of the initial deposit) wherewith shall it be seasoned?

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I believe that full surrender and finishing of our faith is what people are calling a second blessing...receiving that further (double) measure and extra oil when we fully surrender to the Lord. And something else that is scriptural.....first born sons receive a double portion.

 

[ChristisGod]

Please do test this. It confirms the idea of a second blessing (so to speak) - it agrees with the idea of the extra oil of the one parable and the concept of doubling one's initial measure in the other parable. It is strong meat for sure, and a warning that we need to take seriously. I pray for the Lord to illuminate this to the eyes of our understanding.

Jesus is returning as a thief in the night......and as we know the 5 unwise virgins were unable to enter into the wedding feast when the bridegroom appeared, as well as where it says concerning the person with the one talent who had not gained any more, that he would lose even what he initially had upon the Master's return. Jesus coming as a thief will steal from anyone what we initially had unless we have gained more. Only who endures to the end (finishing) will be saved.

Now looking at this, that Jesus taught - I had never quite understood this before:

Luk 14:27-35

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Agrees with Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith.)

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? (The King is coming - Jesus!)

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. (TERMS OF SURRENDER!)

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath (surrendering all to Him) he cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, (running out of the initial deposit) wherewith shall it be seasoned?

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I believe that full surrender and finishing of our faith is what people are calling a second blessing...receiving that further (double) measure and extra oil when we fully surrender to the Lord. And something else that is scriptural.....first born sons receive a double portion.

When we walk in the spirit and are filled with the spirit then there is the fruit of the spirit. That is the Christian life which reflects Christ in us and through us to others. Its never about us its about others. The Christian life is not about ourselves its about being selfless and considering the needs of others above our own as per Christs example from Paul in Philippians 2.