Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
Well, no, it doesn't give you "self-esteem." Recognizing that someone else, i.e. Christ, places value on you is not an act of you esteeming yourself or placing value on yourself.
|
Quite right! It is recognizing the value He has placed upon me, as having been the apple of His eye, and being engraved on the palms of His hands.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
However, this notion of us being SOOOOOOOO valuable to Christ that He would give Himself for us is false doctrine.
|
What you are stating is heresy, in my opinion. We were and ARE valuable to Him. We are His creation and to say that we are not valueable to Him is preposterous!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
The Bible makes it clear that all flesh is as grass (here one moment and burned up in the fire the next) and that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (for the sake of delicacy, I won't bother to go into what that means in the Hebrew).
|
This is comparative value, not intrinsic value. In comparison to His righteousness, we are like filthy rags, and I do know the Hebrew meaning. It fits well in comparison.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
We are commanded to deny ourselves, die to self, etc. These are acts of self-effacement, not self-esteem. Paul explained in Romans 9 that there was nothing inherently good in Jacob or inherently bad in Esau that caused God to love Jacob and hate Esau. Also, what was Job's reaction when God showed him where he really stood with God? Did he esteem himself? No. |
It's not based upon my goodness. It is based upon His goodness upon me. His imputed righteousness, not my own goodness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
Self-esteem and lowliness of mind are absolutely incompatible.
|
I absolutely disagree! Self-esteem based upon what I stated, is completly compatible with lowliness of mind.
If I believe I stand on my own, I am in danger of falling. If I have confidence, esteem in standing on God's word, I will, indeed, stand.