Know Thyself ... and the Gospel

What does "knowing yourself" have to do with the gospel?

And how is it not just an individualistic, Western, self-centeredness?

Someone asked me this question lately, and I thought it was worthy of some reflection. Here are my thoughts.

-It’s about LOVE. A person without a accurate view of themself, who gives out of ‘should’, out of a need for the affirmation of others, out of seeking to meet biblical standards in their own effort, is NOT freely loving, even if it appears so from the outside. Is giving out of ‘should’ better than not giving at all? “Man looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart.” Just as God did not desire sacrifices, but a humble spirit and repentant heart.

-This person described above is in serious danger of living a life of legalism & self-righteousness, and/or, on the flip side, self-condemnation and shame. These are enemies of the gospel.

-It’s about awareness, “know thyself” as Dr. Hannah and Calvin would say. Someone who does not know themselves (but has allowed themselves to be defined by everyone else) cannot know God very deeply, and surely doesn’t truly praise Him or need Him, because they don’t know their own dignity or depravity.

-Knowing your dignity- A person with a solid sense of self CAN lead to a profound level of worship, because you come to appreciate the unique ways you have been designed by God to serve His people. This person can serve, not from duty, but from a sense of deep joy and passion in the ways of His design.

-Knowing your depravity. Here’s a big one. A person who does not know themselves will have a shallow appreciation of their fallenness, and therefore of the gospel. Surely this is a lifetime process and we all grow in understanding our sinfulness over time. But a growing sense of self will lead to a growing awareness of selfishness, brokenness, etc… in the midst of the dignity, that can bring a growing awareness of grace.

It is a mistake to think that “defining yourself” is contrary to living sacrificially. Actually it is only a person who knows well the depths of their depravity and the glory of their God-given dignity who can live dependent upon grace instead of a false self, and freely give themselves away.

This is why “know thyself” is critical to the gospel.