Charles Spurgeon on a Humble Desire
Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that salvation has always been by faith and not of works so no man could boast. Doing good works for the believer is the result of the grace of God and not of works so no man could boast. Titus 2:11-14 teaches that even the good works of the believer is by the unmerited grace of God. Grace is something that you do not deserve. When Christians get saved, this grace makes them live differently - it creates a growing gratitude that does not want to keep on sinning. Romans 7:14-25 reveals how the struggle for sin is a reality but there is no loving of sin. When you are a Christian it becomes impossible to be perpetually barren or to enter Heaven with no reward. Some Christians will have less reward but definitely no reward. When a person becomes a Christian, it is impossible to live like the rest of the world only by the grace of God.
When it comes to the Christian life, it is never about loving one's self. The whole idea of loving yourself is a worldly doctrine. Instead, it is all about JOY - Jesus, Others and You. It all starts with Jesus before you, others before you and you as the last. The world says just be yourself but the Bible says be like Christ. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Being yourself is being one's own worst enemy in fact, if there is anyone I fear the most it is myself and my sinful nature. Men think they are perfectly fine and it is themselves that are so occupied with their pride and sinfulness even to the point they think they are perfectly okay when they are not okay.
Both James and Peter wrote requesting for humility among believers. 1 Peter 5:5 says, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." James 4:10 writes, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." When a Christian is tempted to struggle with pride, they must always remember the truth their good works and their changed life was not their own doing but it is the work of God as Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."