Should we as Christians think the best of ourselves?
Not if we follow the Apostle Paul’s example.(1)
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” ~ Paul, 1 Timothy 1:15
Paul understood he was a hopeless sinner before He followed Christ, and he knew he was still capable of sin:
“Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” Romans 7:21
Paul knew staying faithful demanded deliberate effort:
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal." Philippians 3:13-14
These things are true for all of us.
We all need to guard against pride and do what Paul said in Philippians 2:12-13:
"Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling [seriously, deliberately], for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Being faithful requires a sober view of ourselves (Romans 12:3).
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(1) Paul frequently urged Christians to follow good examples (Philippians 3:17).
You might enjoy these 1-minute devotions which address this subject from different perspectives:
Our Part and God's Part
Are Christians Saints or Sinners?
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hi, i feel very fortunate to be saved. i was raised as a religious catholic, but i felt drawings to be saved the right way as the bible teaches, not the catholic church teachings. i was saved at 21, i'm 57 now, still very thankful to my Lord and Savior.
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