Juxtaposition

 

Romans 12:3(NKJV)

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

VS.

Mark 12:29-31(NKJV)

29Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 

30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ £ £This is the first commandment. 

31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ £ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I find the juxtaposition of these two passages interesting.

On the one hand we have Scripture telling us not to think too highly of ourselves.  I think that is good advice to a certain extent.  However I think too many Christians take that to the extreme and refuse to think even moderately highly of themselves. 

Can you see why that could be an issue in the context of the second passage?  We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Well if we don't love ourselves, that is think very highly of ourselves, we aren't going to have much love to give to our neighbors.

I think it is perfectly healthy to have a great self image.  We just need to constantly look to Jesus to make sure we don't cross the line from great self image to blowhard!  :)