The 1950s TV comedy "The Honeymooners" featured plenty of arguments between Ralph and Alice Kramden. Of course, Ralph did most of the arguing, as he passionately delivered his "I am the king of this castle" speeches with ever-increasing volume. He concluded one such tirade by saying: "Get this straight, Alice. I'm in charge here. I'm the boss. You, on the other hand, are nothing. I'm the boss, You're nothing. That's the way it is. Let me say it one more time, so you're not confused about it. Me, Boss! You, Nothing!" Alice quietly replied: "Big deal, Ralph. So you're the boss over nothing."
We human beings often think too highly of ourselves, usually at the relational expense of other people. We frequently think and act as though we are the center of the world when, in reality, all of this world is supervised by God and therefore accountable to Him. Even Christians--those who are devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ--- are tempted to accept the belief that this life is primarily about our manipulating and pushing and pulling and controlling and dominating fellow human beings, so we can feel that we are 'in charge'.
But, we are not the boss over everything---God is. Truly Christian ambition hungers and thirsts after God's righteousness--and wants God's purposes and glory to be advanced in this fallen world. Christian truth recognizes the reality of our weakness and limitations as well as God's strength and wisdom and salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Cor.1:30). A truly Christian worldview takes to heart the words of the Psalmist: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps.24:1).
Therefore, Christian discipleship affirms the rightful Authority of God over everything. Authentic Christian devotion radiates the spiritual motif of James 4:15- "You ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' "
We human beings often think too highly of ourselves, usually at the relational expense of other people. We frequently think and act as though we are the center of the world when, in reality, all of this world is supervised by God and therefore accountable to Him. Even Christians--those who are devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ--- are tempted to accept the belief that this life is primarily about our manipulating and pushing and pulling and controlling and dominating fellow human beings, so we can feel that we are 'in charge'.
But, we are not the boss over everything---God is. Truly Christian ambition hungers and thirsts after God's righteousness--and wants God's purposes and glory to be advanced in this fallen world. Christian truth recognizes the reality of our weakness and limitations as well as God's strength and wisdom and salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Cor.1:30). A truly Christian worldview takes to heart the words of the Psalmist: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps.24:1).
Therefore, Christian discipleship affirms the rightful Authority of God over everything. Authentic Christian devotion radiates the spiritual motif of James 4:15- "You ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' "
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