Looking Less at Myself and More at Jesus
As we've worked through the Fruit of the Spirit in our Sunday sermons, I've been thinking about how we grow in grace. Most self-help and pop-culture ideas talk about ways to reflect on ourselves, turn away from bad habits, focus on new productivity, etc. But the more I study the Bible, the more I'm learning that the secret to spiritual growth is less about self-improvement and more about Christ-exaltation. It's about looking less at myself and more at Jesus.
This reminds me of a powerful quote from Robert Murray M'Cheyne that I studied years ago. It's a passage from a letter he wrote to a friend, and it beautifully captures the essence of finding true growth and joy in Christ:
"Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely. Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace, and all for sinners, even the chief! Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing Eye settled on you in love, and repose in His almighty arms. Cry after divine knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding. Seek her as silver, and search for her as hid treasure, according to the word in Proverbs 2:4. See that verse 10 be fulfilled in you. Let wisdom enter into your hearts, and knowledge be pleasant to thy soul; so, you will be delivered from the snares mentioned in the following verses. Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him. Let the Holy Spirit fill every chamber of your heart; and so there will be no room for folly, or the world, or Satan, or the flesh."
This quote reveals the heart of a man captivated by Christ. M'Cheyne's words challenge us to shift our focus from ourselves to the one who is "altogether lovely." He urges us to:
Behold Christ: Instead of constantly analyzing our shortcomings, we should fix our gaze on Jesus, His majesty, meekness, and grace.
Seek Divine Knowledge: We should passionately pursue a deeper understanding of God's Word and His character.
Be Filled with the Spirit: We should invite the Holy Spirit to fill us completely, leaving no room for worldly distractions or temptations.
As we cultivate a heart-ravishing sense of Christ's sweetness and excellency, we'll find ourselves growing in grace and producing the fruit of the Spirit naturally. It's not about mustering up willpower or striving for self-improvement; it's about abiding in Christ and allowing His transforming power to work in us.
Let us take M'Cheyne's words to heart and "live much in the smiles of God," basking in His love and finding true rest in His arms.
With You:
Pastor Tim
