12/16/2013 1:00:00 PM —
The linguists/publishers of Oxford Dictionaries annually choose a word of the year – and for 2013, they chose “selfie.” For the
uninitiated, a “selfie” is an electronic picture taken of oneself, by oneself, sometimes with others, often with the camera feature
of the subject’s own mobile phone. It can be taken while pointing the camera at a mirror or at arm’s length. Recently, President
Barack Obama stirred up a bit of controversy at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service when news photographers captured him shooting a
selfie with other world leaders.
It’s hard for me to muster up much outrage, or even interest, in what the president did in what was clearly a collegial atmosphere
with men and women who are his peers. It’s his business, and it’s not nearly as important as what he believes about public policy.
But the prominent example of our “selfie” culture interests me, because I believe it says much about our attitude toward the things
of God in general and the cross in particular.
Certainly many of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. But is there any better metaphor than the “selfie” for a people who have
become convinced that this life is all about them?
I have some experience in being photographed, and I enjoy looking at photographs of experiences I’ve had. The ‘selfie’ culture seems
different to me, and it projects a profound lack of humility. The unspoken message of a selfie, often, seems to be “Look at me!” or
“Look at us!” Paul warns us against that kind of attitude:
For by the grace given to me I say to every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think
with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the
members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
- Romans 12:3-5, ESV, emphasis added
And how highly ought we to think of ourselves? If you’ve spent any time at all in Romans, or any other book of the Bible, you must
realize that in comparison to the God who reveals Himself in Scripture, the answer is “not very highly.” Too often lost in the
Gospel message that Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby on the first Christmas and died a redemptive death for us on the cross
is the stark fact that we need redeemed.
Indeed, were it not for the cross, we would be irredeemable. And our “selfie” culture seems not to recognize that, not even a little
bit. The South African pastor and author of the late 19th century, Andrew Murray, put it this way in his classic book “Humility:
The Beauty of Holiness:”
“(T)he life of the saved ones, of the saints, must needs bear this stamp of deliverance from sin and full restoration to their
original state – their whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility. Without this there can be no true abiding
in God’s presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this, no abiding faith, or love or joy or
strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect
and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others as it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right
attitude before God and allows Him as God to do all” (emphasis in original).
Put another way, how can any of us, in light of what we know about the cross, be anything other than filled with meekness and
lowliness of heart? Especially those of us who enjoy a saving relationship with Jesus Christ need to understand that what we have,
what we are allowed to do in this life, is possible only through His sacrifice at Calvary.
And that realization should be especially prominent in our efforts at evangelism this Christmas season. I marvel at the attitude of
preachers who have convinced themselves that others’ ability to respond to the Gospel depends on their ability to present it.
The truth is that the Gospel works best on hearts and minds when we get out of its way. The Southern Gospel group Gold City put it
this way:
Lord as I seek to serve You,
May You find in me what's pleasing to Your heart.
I leave my will at Calvary,
Taking on a nature humbled by Your scars.
For I know it's only through Your love,
That who I am is hidden by Your grace.
Let my desires be overshadowed,
As I recall the purpose of that place.
Hide me behind the cross,
Where my gains become as loss.
And only Your glory is in view.
If I rely on my strength
To be a source of hope for those in need,
The only profit I would gain
Would be the empty honor of my deeds.
But with all of self behind Your cross,
The splendor of Your love stands free to shine.
Illuminating with Your power,
Reaching souls so You alone are glorified.
Your power will be revealed
The more that I am concealed.
Hide me behind the cross
So the world sees only You(emphasis added).
Amen and amen. Fewer selfies, and less “selfie” attitude, please. Let’s put the focus of this life where it belongs this Christmas – on the cross.