Pastor’s Pen
By Dr. Robin Brumfield
We all like to be congratulated on a job well done. We have worked hard and given it our best, and then it gives a sense of accomplishment when we get a compliment. That is what we are called to do – give a compliment when a compliment is due. Those who receive that compliment, also, deserve to be rewarded, verbally, for what they have done. It is only fair and of course it fits well with our Southern hospitality.
The often problem with us receiving a compliment is that we sometimes place too much attention on the compliment. We begin to think, “Yes, I did do a good job” or worse yet, “Yes, I deserved that compliment for my talent or a job well done.” That causes pride to swell up inside us. The human body is very sensitive. Pat a man or woman on the back and his/her head swells. We have to realize that the talent(s) we have are really not ours at all. They are on loan to us from the Creator of this universe. He is the One who gave us the talent and gave us the opportunity to use that talent. Our problem is we fail to remember that we are just a depraved sinner saved by grace.
Paul, the greatest Christian who ever lived, realized this in his own life. Paul reviewed his former life without Jesus Christ and came to the following revelation about himself: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15). Paul did not focus on all the ways the Lord Jesus used him, but focused on him being the chief sinner or worst sinner he knew of.
So next time you are patted on the back with a compliment for a job well done, remember that you are a sinner that God gifted you and gave you that opportunity!!!!
