Our view of ourselves.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Pride is inherent in all of us. Ego is part of our human nature and everyone desires to feel important and needed. Pride has to be constantly crucified. We can easily idenitfy pride in everyone else but is hard to find in ourselves.
It hides as spirituality-intelligence-maturity-and yes humility. But when I think any part of the Kingdom is determined by my worth and contribution and it will suffer if I am not a participant then I honestly am blinded by pride. The church birthed me how then can it depend on me to exists???? Jesus clearly said "Upon this rock I will build my church" true he may use us but he is the builder the author mind you and the finisher. Organizations-local assemblies span decades where the life cycle itself replaces folks and guess what the church goes on without them and in time they are only a memory not matter how powerful they are. The wise man said "humility before honor"
but pride goeth before destruction. I need God and the church they don't need me. I am not the wheel in the middle of the wheel He is.

I think that some think that "the world revolves around them" and that attitude is off base. But I also think realistically that we have to be reminded of the fact that as a church we need each other.

One cannot say to another "I have no need of you" or even "you are not important" even as some who some think are a "pain".

A church and an organisation are two different entities. The church can survive without the org but the church cannot survive without it's members.

Jesus said "whatsoever you do to the least of these my brethern that you do unto me." We have to realize how important we are to God and knowing it doesn't automatically make you full of pride. Usually the opposite happens -- it gives you a feeling of humility and honour to know how important you really are.