Do You Exalt Jesus as Much as You Should?
It's the battle of self versus Savior.
When I read the New Testament, I am struck by the way the writers exalt Jesus. Of course, the Bible is God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16), so ultimately - God is exalting Jesus within the pages of Scripture.
I think of what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12-17:
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
I’m reminded of the words Peter wrote by inspiration in 1 Peter 2:21-25:
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I also remember what John wrote in 1 John 4:7-11:
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
What stands out in these passages is what God has done for us through Jesus Christ even though we deserved none of it.
Paul, Peter, and John all emphasized that none of us deserve the love, mercy, and longsuffering of God. Sin separates us from God and earns us the fair wage of death (Romans 3:23). But, the gracious, merciful gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
The writers of the New Testament exalt Jesus for this demonstration of love over and over again.
What about you and me?
Do we see ourselves as we would be without Jesus Christ? If we do, then our praise and honor of the Son of God ought to be unending - in this life and the next (Revelation 5:11-14).
Without Him, we would be nothing. Without Him, we could do nothing. Without Him, we would be lost and hopeless (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24)