The Search for Significance

72 The Search For Significance
to other believers rather than to Christ Himself.
We learn to use the right Christian words, claim
divine power and guidance, and organize programs,
and yet so often, our spiritual facade lacks
depth and substance. Our spiritual activities become
human efforts lacking the real
touch of the
Master.
The Christian who still depends on his success
and seeks the approval of others for his self-worth
is a Christian who has barely begun on his spiritual
journey toward maturity. Success and approval
constitute the basis of an addictive,
worldly, carnal self-worth. Certainly, withdrawal
from this view may cause us some pain as we
change the basis of our self-worth, yet we will
discover true freedom and maturity in Christ only
when we understand that our lives mean much
more than success or the approval of others.
Moreover, the person who will not value God's
opinion over his abilities to please others is a
prideful individual. Make no mistake about it,
we
can do nothing to contribute to Christ's free gift
of salvation: and if we base our self-worth on the
approval of others, then we are actually saying
that our ability to please others is of greater
worth than Christ's payment. We are the sinners,
the depraved, the wretched, and the helpless. He
is the loving Father, the seeking, searching, patient
Savior who has made atonement for the lost
and extended grace and sonship. We add nothing
to our salvation. It is God who seeks us out, convicts
us of sin, and reveals Himself to us; and it is
God who gives us the very faith with which to accept
Him! Our faith is simply our response to what
He has done for us.
The Christian who embraces the measureless
gift of God to man gladly surrenders his pride.
Realizing God's love, forgiveness, and acceptance
enables us to end our struggle for success and ap-