Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
1 Peter 4:1-11 – To Thine Own Self Be True
Rejection, more so than acceptance, tends to make us “wax philosophical” and self-reflect. Questions (such as: Who are we; why are we here; what are we doing with our life; what are we supposed to be doing with our life) can be life altering or life affirming.
“To thine own self be true” (Shakespeare, Hamlet, spoken by Polonius) is only important if we are being true to who God made us to be. Selfishness and serving are diametrically opposed. If who we are, is what and how God blessed us to be, then we are not being true to self, but rather to God. Self-examination then is more than simply about ourselves. It is about us being a servant to God.
1 Peter 4:10-11 HCSB Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. (11) If anyone speaks, his speech should be like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, his service should be from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
God’s grace, in all its wonderful glory, made each of us different in order to serve His purpose. Our gifts are not truly ours, they are God’s – given by God, for God’s glory. To deny our gifts, to not use our gifts, to be ashamed of our gifts, to allow others to disdain our gifts, is to fail – not only ourselves, but our God.
Doubt begins when our gifts are not well received. But when has being according to every one else’s standard been being according to God’s standard?
To be created in God’s image is more than being a spiritual being. It is being like God. And what kind of gifts does God give for His glory? Those that come from His glorious self.
“To thine own self be true” is better lived “To thine own God be true.”
Comments