The Gospel of Self Esteem  Is it Right?

The Bible is a Book written by men who were inspired of God.  You will be carefully to note that it is written TO man.  Had it been written to Satan and his fallen crew it would have a slightly different message.

The gospel of self esteem that is being preached today is a perverted gospel.  It is very subtle and deceptive and is doing no more than leading people to believe that Christ died for man because of some inherent goodness in man.  So the message is basically seeking to build up man's importance in spite of his sin and what the Bible says about a fallen human race.

The reason for this illogical logic is because the true purpose of the sacrifice of Christ is seen as manward,  and not Godward.

The main purpose of His sacrifice was to PUT AWAY SIN. This alone would propitiate [satisfy] God. It was not some childlike innocence or goodness in man that brought the Son of God into the world to suffer and died.  Since the Bible was written to man, then the message is that Christ died for their sins.  However, His death was not for man alone, but it was to completely abolish sin.  To confine the work of Christ to man sinS is to miss the very purpose for which He came.

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb 9:26  The word "put away" means to abolish, disannul.

This sin never originated with man and cannot be abolish by Christ just dying for man's sinS.  He died primarily for SIN, not just SINS.  John 1:29 "........Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

So the death of Christ  was for the destruction, first and foremost, of Satan.  Heb 2:14,   Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;   This was foremost.
V. 15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. This was secondary.

This is the full reason of why  God sent His Son, not just to save sinners, but to destroy the father of all sinners, Satan.

This would not, of itself, end the sin problem in God's universe, but the fallen angels would have to go as well.  He already had a place prepared for them according to Matt 25:41.  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

When Christ said,  John 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.  This is not man's sin or sins, but Satan and his cohorts that are being dealt with because He was ready to go to the cross.  The next verse bring man's salvation in view,  V.32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Calvary then, was a judgment not only for sin, but for sinners also.   There was no  provision for Satan and His angels, only destruction, but at the same time it was a provision for the salvation for all men.

The final execution of this judgment will take place in the future when a great white throne is set in the heavens and Satan and  his fallen angels will be cast into the lake of fire and then all unsaved will be raised and cast in there also.

Then and then only, will the entire earth and universe be rid of that terrible infectious disease of sin. Then and then only will the full work of Christ be accomplished. He was judged for sin, but He has not judged the sinners yet.

Man's self worth does not come into the great work of Christ.  Man is so corrupted and depraved in Adam that to redeem the real image that man was made in, he had to take the old man [image of Adam, Gen 5: 3] we were in Adam and nail it to the cross with Christ.  It was not slated for redemption, but destruction.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:6  Why would God crucify our old man if we were of such infinite worth in ourselves.?

Friends, don't be deceived with the devil's perverted gospel that man is worthy of " ......the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:9
Salvation is described well in Rom. 11.33, For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things:to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Salvation if OF Him, THROUGH Him and TO Him.

Phil 1: 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

May the underlined be our prayer and ambition.
 

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith


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Updated Jan 25th 2003, by Harold Smith