Have you heard this statement before? The root of inferiority is comparison.
So true! Of course, it can work the opposite way as well. The root of superiority is comparison. How do we overcome either one of these?
Well, in this context, of a sense of superiority or inferiority, we have been asking these questions in this blog over the past few months: What do I believe about me? And what do I believe about God?
What do I believe about me when I’m experiencing that sense of Inferiority or Superiority?
Answers:
· My value is relative to others
· I am not as good or I am better; I am not good enough or I am that great
· My identity comes from I-B-M-M (Intelligence – Beauty – Money – Might)
What do I believe... about God when I’m feeling inferior or superior?
Answers: (If we are completely honest about it)
· God is not the one who gives me identity
· God is not the one who gives me value
· God doesn’t really care how I feel
Are these true of God? No… Nevertheless, does someone who feels inferior or superior believe them? Yes.
True God or false god? With this in mind, remember that repentance is first about belief, the root source of all behaviour: root vs. fruit.
Let’s walk through each answer about God, asking the question: What is true truth about God?
Answers: (always the root of the gospel is in the cross)
1. Does God give me identity?
God calls me who I am. My entire identity is wrapped up in the cross. Check out Ephesians 4:24, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 1 Peter 2:9
2. Does God give me value?
God defines my value in Jesus’ death. Look at Ephesians 2:4-9, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Peter 1:18
3. Does God care how I feel?
God is committed to my joy in Him - Look at the cross! Check out Isaiah 61:10, John 10:10, John 16:24
Do you see what we need to repent of in this scenario of infer/super-iority?
“I repent of this false belief about You God. You are the one who calls me who I am and gives me identity. You place worth and value on my life. I repent of believing it comes from other sources. This is the good news I believe about You, that You care for me and in the cross of Jesus there is ‘therefore now no condemnation,’ only forgiveness and freedom to be the me You make me to be.”
What happens? The old root of misbelief is cut out and a new root grows in it’s place. With a new root comes new fruit! What is that fruit?
It is both self-forgetfulness and making much of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is such good news!