Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. Do you, my younger brother or sister, have a proper view of yourself? That is a question that is biblically based. The Bible often speaks to you personally, calling you to self-examination. Obviously, then, there is a way in which you must consider your own life, your own nature, your own gifts, your own behavior, and your relationships with others and with God. But when I ask, Do you have a proper view of yourself, it is with purpose that I phrase the question that way. Because whether...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. It is absolutely essential to your spiritual and emotional health that you have a proper view of self. But, more specifically, that view of self must be in harmony with God’s view of you. What good will it do me, if every Tom, Dick, and Harry, and all the Dr. Feel-goods are telling me that I am good and ought to feel good about myself, if the end of all my good feelings is everlasting banishment from the fellowship of God?! For that very reason, my youthful brother...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. Before setting forth the truth of Scripture concerning this concept of self-esteem, I want to call your attention once again to the influence of the unbiblical idea that has been so readily accepted. I make bold to proclaim that the influence of the modern self-esteem movement has permeated even our own thinking to a degree – perhaps to a rather large degree. There has been more and more emphasis placed on self-esteem among us, and most often it is not the emphasis on proper Christian self-esteem, i.e., biblical...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin.

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. As I conclude this consideration of proper Christian self-esteem, I am convinced that there is a very important relationship between the truth of the covenant which we hold dear and this whole biblical concept of proper Christian self-esteem. That was implied when I wrote previously that the important factor in overcoming all your insecurities is that you are conscious of belonging to Christ. For when you belong to Christ, God’s evaluation of you is this: “You are My friend.” Self-esteem and the Covenant We may summarize that truth...