Flee the Gospel of Me: Embracing Christ's Way of Humility

Flee the Gospel of Me: Why Self-Promotion Is Not the Way of Christ

Introduction

In a world that glorifies self-promotion and personal branding, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the Gospel is about us. We're constantly bombarded with messages that tell us to "be the best version of ourselves" and to "live our best life now". But is this really what the Gospel is all about?

The truth is that the Gospel is not about us. It's about God and his glory. We are called to die to ourselves and to live for Christ. In this article, we'll look at why self-promotion is not the way of Christ and how we can flee the Gospel of Me.

The Gospel Is Not About Us

One of the most important things we need to understand about the Gospel is that it's not about us. It's not about how good we are or how much we can do. It's not about our achievements or our success. It's about God and his glory.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Everything we do should be done for the glory of God. Our lives should be lived in such a way that they point people to him, not to ourselves.

Jesus himself said, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). The purpose of our good works is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to draw attention to God.

The Danger of Self-Promotion

Self-promotion, on the other hand, is all about drawing attention to ourselves. It's about making ourselves look good and building our own brand. It's about seeking the praise and approval of others.

The danger of self-promotion is that it can lead us away from Christ. When we focus on ourselves, we become prideful and self-centered. We start to think that we're the ones who deserve the credit for our success, rather than giving glory to God.

Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." When we become prideful, we set ourselves up for failure. We begin to think that we don't need God, that we can do it all on our own. But the truth is that without him, we can do nothing.

The Way of Christ

So if self-promotion is not the way of Christ, what is?

The way of Christ is humility. Jesus himself said, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). We are called to follow his example, to take up our cross and to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24).

Paul says in Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." We are called to put others first, to serve them and to love them.

Jesus himself washed the feet of his disciples, showing us what it means to serve others (John 13:1-17). He didn't come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). If we want to follow in his footsteps, we must be willing to serve others as well.

Flee the Gospel of Me

So how can we flee the Gospel of Me and embrace the way of Christ?

1. Recognize Your Pride

The first step is to recognize your pride. We all struggle with pride, but it can be difficult to see it in ourselves. Ask God to reveal your pride to you and to help you see yourself as he sees you.

2. Repent and Confess Your Sin

The next step is to repent and confess your sin. Confess your pride to God and ask for his forgiveness. Confess your sin to others as well, if necessary. This can be difficult, but it's an important step in overcoming pride.

3. Focus on God's Glory

Instead of focusing on yourself, focus on God's glory. Ask yourself, "How can I bring glory to God in this situation?" Look for opportunities to serve others and to point them to Christ.

4. Practice Humility

Practice humility in your daily life. Look for ways to serve others and to put their needs before your own. Avoid seeking attention and praise for yourself.

5. Seek Accountability

Finally, seek accountability from others. Find a trusted friend or mentor who can help you stay accountable in your walk with Christ. Share your struggles with them and ask for their support and guidance.

Conclusion

The Gospel is not about us. It's about God and his glory. We are called to die to ourselves and to live for Christ. Self-promotion is not the way of Christ, but humility is. We must flee the Gospel of Me and embrace the way of Christ.

As we seek to follow him, let us remember the words of John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). May we decrease, so that he may increase in our lives and in the world around us.