A new book about Pope John Paul II (“Why He’s a Saint?”) says he whipped himself with a belt, slept on the floor, and denied himself food as acts of penitence to bring him closer to Christian perfection. Of course such acts of self-denial cannot produce righteousness (Col. 3:23). But I would like to think these private acts of contrition were disciplines the Pope deemed necessary to humble himself, and fight the spirit of pride, as someone esteemed by his church to be the greatest man alive.
Jesus declared John the Baptizer to be the greatest man who ever lived: "among those born of women there is no one greater than John" (Luke 7:28). John’s wilderness lifestyle, rough clothing, and simple diet of locusts and honey was remarkably strange, yet strangely appropriate to his message of repentance and self-denial. To accomplish his mission, he had to be committed to singular obedience—a life of self-denial and self-abnegation. What if his lifestyle had not matched his message?
Are we not a little confused, even disappointed, when our leaders’ lifestyles (excessive wealth, immodesty, over-indulgence) do not seem to match their message? One of the greatest men who ever lived, the Apostle Paul, took great care to assure his lifestyle matched his message of Godly discipline and self-denial: “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor. 9:27).
As you come to realize God’s specific purpose for your life—whether you are called to be a public leader or a silent servant—consider your lifestyle. Take care that it matches your message.
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