Christian Self-Doubt, Or Not?

Various news outlets have been reporting on a disturbing trend among teenage and even preteen girls: "Am I Pretty or Ugly?" videos.

The young girls are posting short video clips on Youtube and then asking people, "Am I pretty or ugly?" One such clip had over 4.5 million hits and 114,000 comments (and those hits and comments are growing every day).

The responses ranged from "U have nothing to worry about" to harsh and degrading comments.

In an insightful blog post, Sharon Hode Miller writes, "As I watched these videos, I wanted to reach through the screen and hug their tiny shoulders." Miller claims that many women in our culture struggle with the same "Am I pretty or ugly?" question. So Miller urges women to remember that their real beauty is fixed and unchangeable in Christ.

"The end goal," she writes, "is the 'blessed self-forgetfulness' that Tim Keller describes—a forgetfulness that frees us from fussing over ourselves so that we can worship and serve God."
-her-meneutics.com, March 9, 2012, Sharon Hodde Miller

Many of us suffer (or have suffered) self-doubts, or identity crises of all different types. If you have ever been embarrassed about being a Christian, let the apostle Paul share with you the reasons why he was not ashamed. He overcame any shame by knowing the Lord. This was accomplished by knowing "his identity."

Paul had knowledge of the true person and identity of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:12). This knowledge gave Paul courage to suffer any price (Philippians 3:8). Who is this Jesus we follow as the Christ?

In the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7), He is wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God. An everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In the words of Peter (Matthew 16:16), He is The Christ; The Son of the Living God.

In the words of Paul (Colossians 1:15-18), He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. By Him, through Him, and for Him were all things created. He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the church. And, He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence!

In the words of Jesus Himself (Revelation 1:10-11,17-18; 22:16), "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last." "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore." "I have the keys of Hades and of Death." "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

When we know our Lord's true identity, how can we ever be ashamed of Him?

Another way that Paul knew the Lord was by "knowing his faithfulness." Paul had committed his very soul to Jesus (2 Timothy 1:12). He was confident that Jesus was able to save him on the day of Judgment.

How faithful, dependable, is this Jesus in Whom we trust for salvation? He is able to aid those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13). He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). He is able to transform our lowly bodies into glorious bodies (Philippians 3:21). He will give eternal life to those who come to Him, and nothing can snatch them out of His Father's hand (John 10:28-29).

When we know our Lord's faithfulness, how can we ever be ashamed of Him?

As you might have gathered by now, the more we know and appreciate our Lord, the less likelihood we would ever be ashamed of Him. The same is true regarding His Words. Again, Paul provides us with some more examples of how he overcame any shame.

As was previously mentioned, he overcame any shame by knowing the Lord. In addition to the above examples, he did this by "knowing the Gospel." Paul was fully aware of the power of God.

Paul knew that the message he proclaimed was powerful (Romans 1:16), even though to some it might seem foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). What power is contained in the gospel of Christ? How about:

a. The power to save those who believe (Romans 1:16).
b. The power to cause one to be born again (1 Peter 1:22-25).
c. The power to work effectively in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
d. The power to produce fruit in those who know and understand it (Colossians 1:6).

When we know God's power in the gospel, how can we ever be ashamed of it?

Paul also knew the "wisdom of God." Paul knew that the gospel contained the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24), even though it contained that which was considered foolishness to Greeks.

What wisdom is contained in the gospel of Christ? There is:

a. Wisdom beyond the ability of natural man to discern on his own (Romans 11:33).
b. Wisdom hidden for ages, but now revealed to the Lord's apostles (1 Corinthians 2:6-10).
c. Wisdom that we can now learn by reading the apostles' writings (Ephesians 3:3-5).

As you can see, the gospel of Christ contains all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, especially for the truly abundant life and life eternal (Colossians 2:3; cf. John 10:10; 1 John 5:11-13). When we know God's wisdom in the gospel, how can we ever be ashamed of it?

In conclusion, we have very good reasons not to be ashamed. The Lord we serve is a great and marvelous Lord! His Word we proclaim is a great and marvelous message! All it takes is for us to be diligent in our study of such things (2 Timothy 2:15).

Here are two more good reasons we should not be ashamed. First, Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11); and secondly, God is not ashamed to be called our God (Hebrews 11:16). If They are not ashamed of us, how can we be ashamed of Them and Their Word?

Finally, our greatest concern should be whether we will be ashamed when the Lord returns (1 John 2:28). Are we abiding in Jesus by obedience to His Word...? (1 John 2:3-6; cf. Mark 16:15-16; Galatians 3:26-27)

Prayer:

When the problems of this world try to drag me down and the angry waves of life go over my head, I turn to you, my Lord. You are my rock, my place of refuge and my hope. Never leave me alone in the battle. Protect me from my weakness, free me from my fears and give me strength to carry on. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Kelly