Wisdom Untamed
Wisdom Untamed
Writers Journals
Welcome to the enchanting world of Writers Journals, a captivating page on our website dedicated to the artistry of wisdom, life teachings, and poetry. Here, we invite you to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and inspiration.
Within these digital pages, you'll uncover a tapestry of profound insights, heartfelt reflections, and soul-stirring expressions. Our carefully curated collection of writers' journals serves as a gateway to a realm where words come alive and emotions dance on the page.
Immerse yourself in the labyrinth of wisdom as you explore the diverse musings of our passionate writers. Each entry unveils a unique perspective on life's tapestry, weaving together timeless lessons and extraordinary experiences. From thought-provoking observations to poignant tales, these journals ignite the flames of introspection and encourage you to see the world through a kaleidoscope of perspectives.
Ego
by B.Manaba
On May 24, 2023, I woke up and followed my usual routine. While browsing TikTok, I came across a video discussing the story of the thief on the cross. The video posed a profound question: "How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology?" This thief had no religious rituals or practices such as baptism, confirmation, communion, or even a sinner's prayer. He was a thief, lacking any virtuous acts or religious affiliations. Despite this, he was promised paradise by Jesus simply for his belief. This led me to ponder why the other thief hanging on the cross did not choose the path of belief and salvation.
In order to delve deeper into this question, I turned to the Book of Luke, specifically chapter 23, verses 39 to 43. In verse 39, I discovered something significant about the lost thief, referred to as "Ego." It is important to note that while the term "ego" does not directly appear in the Bible, the concepts and principles related to ego can be found within its teachings.
The word "ego" generally refers to an inflated sense of self-importance, resulting in an excessive preoccupation with oneself. The Bible consistently discourages this self-centered mindset, as humans possess a natural inclination to seek worship and idolize themselves. Modern forms of idolatry often revolve around the glorification of the self, a concept that can be traced back to the Garden of Eden. In this biblical account, Satan deceived Eve by suggesting that she could become "like God" (Genesis 3:5).
On the contrary, humility serves as the antithesis of ego. Both the Old and New Testaments emphasize the importance of living humbly. In the book of Micah, it is stated, "What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). King Solomon proclaimed, "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life" (Proverbs 22:4). One verse that epitomizes the significance of humility is found in Peter's first epistle, where he urges believers to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).
The Bible is clear in its condemnation of pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13). Lucifer's fall from grace, as described in Isaiah 14:13-14, exemplifies the consequences of pride: "I will ascend... I will raise... I will sit... I will ascend... I will make myself like the Most High." This verse portrays pride preceding destruction, as the subsequent verse in Isaiah reveals Satan's downfall. Jesus also warned of the fate of the proud, stating that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled" (Matthew 23:12). Clearly, an inflated ego and self-centered focus contradict the Christian call for humility, which involves dependence on God and service to others.
A humble heart leaves no room for ego, pride, or arrogance because it recognizes that everything we have and are comes from God. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians of this truth, questioning their basis for boasting: "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). Every gift, talent, and breath we take is a gift from God, including the most precious gift of all—salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). As stated in Romans 3:27, boasting is excluded by the law of faith.
Jesus Christ serves as the perfect example of humility (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:5-8). He taught us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11:29). Jesus came to serve rather than be served, willingly taking on the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7). In the Garden of Gethsemane, He demonstrated selflessness by surrendering His own will to the Father's (Matthew 26:39). The following day, He humbly endured the agony of the cross, enabling our reconciliation with the Father.
The Gospel of Grace
by B.Manaba
In (Romans 7:6b), the Bible speaks of our release from the law, but it can be difficult to understand what this means. Some may wonder if it implies that they can do as they please, but this interpretation is not accurate. Throughout history, God has made it clear that the punishment for sin is death, and since the first humans, sin has entered the world, corrupting all of humanity (Romans 5:12a). The law of God condemned all people to death due to their sinful nature, but out of His love for the world, God found a way to save it without compromising His law (John 3:16). God's word is unchanging, and He does not sin or repent like human beings (Numbers 23:19). He built the foundation of His throne on His word, which will not disappear until it has accomplished everything it is meant to (Matthew 5:18). To solve the calamity of sin, He provided a sacrifice in the form of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. Jesus would stand in the position of all those who believe in Him (John 3:16b) and atone for our sins by shedding His blood (Romans 3:25). We were saved from the condemnation and judgment of the law, but this does not mean that the law has been abolished or is no longer in use. Rather, we are to uphold the law (Romans 3:31). The law makes us moral beings, providing order and serenity to the world and directing our paths toward the peaceful living that the Lord has always desired for us. We would not know what sin is without the law (Romans 7:7b). The law is holy, and Jesus says that He has not come to abolish it but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). As an example, consider a father who makes a law that none of his two sons should go out after 6 pm, and anyone found outside after that time would receive a punishment of hard strokes. The younger son, unaware of the consequences, breaks the law and goes out to meet his friends. He enjoys the outside, forgetting that he needs to return home. The father, worried about his son, sends the older brother to fetch him. The older brother finds his younger brother drunk and dirty, with mud and blood all over. He cleans him, changes his clothes, and carries him back to their father. The father, a man of his word, must punish his son even though it is hard for him. His character is based on keeping his word, so he puts his son in position, raises the sjambok as he is about to strike, and the older son stops him, saying, "Father, beat me in place of my brother. Let me carry his punishment." The father has no choice but to hit the elder brother, who showed uncontested love for his brother. Therefore, just because we have someone to bear the punishment for us, we should not continue to sin or break the law. Instead, the gospel of grace teaches us to uphold the law since we have received what we do not deserve. We should be grateful to the one who bore the punishment for us and avoid repeating the same mistakes. This is food for thought for all who seek to live a life pleasing to God
