I was Just Thinking About – MESSIANIC COMPLEX.
There are two possible definitions for the term – Messianic Complex. The general (more positive) meaning is defined as: “A state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that he or she is destined to become a savior. The term can also refer to a state of mind in which an individual believes that he or she is responsible for saving or assisting others.” The other (more negative) is where a person views himself/herself through a self-imposed negative prism: “No one appreciates me! No one understands me! No one accepts me for who I am and what I can do! No one loves me!” The negative list could be much longer. One area that is often forgotten is that one’s self-image does not have to be negative and is Biblically stated as one that should be positive.
In what ways should the Messiah Complex be one’s reality? What are the minimum indicators that guide one in this direction? A general answer is universal and stated in Romans 15:1-7, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up...May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had…Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” The Biblical Christian is to be an “accepting” person in all inter-personal relationships.
The Messianic Complex is to be present in the way one thinks. We have this guidance in Philippians 2:5-11, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…” The lesson to be learned is to be humble. Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” To arrive at this point has a basic requirement. It is known as commitment to Jesus Christ and His purpose for one’s life. The world wants to fit us into its mold which is secular whereas the Biblical Standard is to fit one’s life into God’s plan and purpose for it which is spiritual.
Two additional Biblical requirements are: Romans 12:1-2, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” And, Luke 9:23-24 (NLT) Jesus Christ gave a further requirement: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (AMP) “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].”
The “Messianic Complex” one should be concerned about is whether or not one's prism is positive rather than negative. An old worship song expressed: “To be like Jesus; To be like Jesus; All I ask - to be like Him; All through life's journey from earth to glory; All I ask - to be like Him.” A second stanza repeats similar words but adds the phrase: “My desire - to be like Him! All through life's journey, from earth to glory, My desire - to be like Him.” Is your desire - to be like Him? Always? In all things and in all ways
Prayerfully – consider these things with me!
There are two possible definitions for the term – Messianic Complex. The general (more positive) meaning is defined as: “A state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that he or she is destined to become a savior. The term can also refer to a state of mind in which an individual believes that he or she is responsible for saving or assisting others.” The other (more negative) is where a person views himself/herself through a self-imposed negative prism: “No one appreciates me! No one understands me! No one accepts me for who I am and what I can do! No one loves me!” The negative list could be much longer. One area that is often forgotten is that one’s self-image does not have to be negative and is Biblically stated as one that should be positive.
In what ways should the Messiah Complex be one’s reality? What are the minimum indicators that guide one in this direction? A general answer is universal and stated in Romans 15:1-7, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up...May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had…Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” The Biblical Christian is to be an “accepting” person in all inter-personal relationships.
The Messianic Complex is to be present in the way one thinks. We have this guidance in Philippians 2:5-11, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…” The lesson to be learned is to be humble. Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” To arrive at this point has a basic requirement. It is known as commitment to Jesus Christ and His purpose for one’s life. The world wants to fit us into its mold which is secular whereas the Biblical Standard is to fit one’s life into God’s plan and purpose for it which is spiritual.
Two additional Biblical requirements are: Romans 12:1-2, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” And, Luke 9:23-24 (NLT) Jesus Christ gave a further requirement: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (AMP) “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].”
The “Messianic Complex” one should be concerned about is whether or not one's prism is positive rather than negative. An old worship song expressed: “To be like Jesus; To be like Jesus; All I ask - to be like Him; All through life's journey from earth to glory; All I ask - to be like Him.” A second stanza repeats similar words but adds the phrase: “My desire - to be like Him! All through life's journey, from earth to glory, My desire - to be like Him.” Is your desire - to be like Him? Always? In all things and in all ways
Prayerfully – consider these things with me!
No comments:
Post a Comment