Self-Forgetfulness

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

Luke 13:1-9

At that very time, there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them — do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still, I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8 He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

As we come to the middle of the Lenten season, we find ourselves at a unique juncture in our spiritual journey—a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. The passage from Luke 13:1-9 invites us into a deeper understanding of our lives and our call—not only to repentance but to a transformation of self. In this scripture, Jesus addresses a common human tendency to draw conclusions about others based on their circumstances. The Galileans who suffered at the hands of Pilate and the victims of the Tower of Siloam—Jesus reminds us that tragic events do not equate to punishment from God. His message reminds us of the fragility of life and the reality that none of us is immune to hardship. In the face of suffering, the call is not to evaluate others but to examine ourselves with humility. Jesus urges those listening to “repent,” highlighting that the time for introspection is urgent and essential.

In The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness, Timothy Keller gives insights into discovering profound connections between Jesus’ message and the human condition. Keller articulates that the human ego is not only empty but can often lead us down painful paths, making us busy in the courtrooms of comparison and fragile in the face of judgment—both from others and ourselves. Keller states, “This is gospel-humility, blessed self-forgetfulness.” He illustrates that the solution to our ego—which is neither to inflate it to be overly self-confident nor deflate it to self-loathing—is to forget ourselves completely. This articulation resonates deeply with Jesus’ call in today’s passage. When Jesus speaks of the necessity of repentance, He invites us to shift our focus from the judgments of others and even our self-judgments—towards a singular, humbling relationship with God.

Keller is echoing the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians. Paul says, “With me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself” (1 Cor. 4:3). Paul is, in essence, saying, “Your opinion of me does not affect my self-worth” Something I have come to use a personal mantra after encountering this book for the first time about a decade ago. Working back then as a full-time professional in the music industry, I understood the inherent need musicians seem to have for validation, like children who never outgrew their need for their parent’s approval. A musician’s life is a virtual “Look at me! Look at me!” Before seeking a deeper understanding of Christ’s role in my life, I had adopted an “I don’t care” attitude, but I was fooling myself. As a Christian, I must care. What I had to come to terms with, and what I have to be concerned about continually, is God’s opinion of me.

A Christian’s only validation should come from God. How do we seek God’s validation? Scriptures tell us how to seek God’s will in our lives.

• When you are weak, Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” This passage reassures believers of God’s presence and support and validates their worth and purpose in God’s eyes.

• When you can’t see the road ahead, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” God’s declaration of having good plans for His people offers profound validation of your value and purpose, encouraging you to trust in God’s sovereign will.

• When we seek an explanation, Paul writes, “Am I now seeking human approval or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” In this verse, Paul emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s acceptance above human approval, framing true validation in the context of serving Christ.

Imagine the liberation that comes from not being preoccupied with how we are perceived or feeling the weight of our performance in the kingdom of God. Now grab hold of that feeling and transfer it to your life right now. Jesus calls us to see beyond ourselves, urging us instead to tend to our own hearts, much like the unfruitful fig tree in his parable. The gardener’s patient care serves as a beautiful metaphor for God’s desire to cultivate growth within us, even when we seem barren. As Keller highlights, “The moment we believe, God says, ‘This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.’” This pronouncement of love and acceptance shifts our perspective. Instead of striving to earn worth or comparing ourselves to others, we are invited to accept our identity in Christ wholeheartedly.

Lent is not only a time of introspection; Lent is a time to repent—not merely for our sins but for the ways we have clung to our egos, our pride, and our self-concern. It is an opportunity to grapple with the questions: What burdens are we carrying? How are we allowing the opinions of others to define us? In this reframing of our identity, we find grace that empowers us not only to change but to serve others without the weight of our fragile egos. This is not an easy transition to make. Believe me when I say the work is tedious and may well require professional help. For some, like me and my cohort, it is challenging and requires us to find different motivations for playing music, especially for others. You may have a different perspective that makes it easier for you to let go of your ego in the face of Jesus’ teachings. But one thing is clear: neither one of us can do it alone.

In Romans 8, Paul contrasts living according to the flesh versus living according to the Spirit. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.7 For this reason, the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed, it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you" (Romans 8:5-11)

Paul states that those who focus on the flesh experience death, while those who focus on the Spirit experience life and peace. The mindset set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot adhere to God’s law, making it impossible for those in the flesh to please God. In contrast, believers are said to dwell in the Spirit, and having the Spirit of Christ means that even though their physical bodies may face death due to sin, they are alive spiritually through righteousness. Additionally, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also bring life to their mortal bodies. When we seek the Spirit of God in our lives, inviting that healing, we are empowered to do the work of what Keller called self-forgetfulness.

Our call, as Christians, is to live in the freedom of self-forgetfulness—a season of bearing good fruit, a time to be attentive to our own souls so they can be nourished and strengthened for the work to which God has called us, a season of Lent. Now is the time to nurture a spirit of gospel humility. Allow it to lead you to repentance from ego. Allow it to help you care no more or less about what others think of you. Allow it to help you care no more or less about your own opinion of self. In doing so, may you find a deeper relationship with God and a more authentic understanding of your place within this community of faith.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging our need for transformation. Please help us to lay aside our burdens, expectations, and the opinions of others. Teach us the beauty of self-forgetfulness so we may fully embrace our identity in You—a beloved child. Amen.

Works Cited

Keller, T. (2012). The Freedon Of Self-Forgetfulness: The path to true Christian Joy. 2025 Kindle Edition: 10Publishing.

NIV Study Bible. (2011). Grand rapids, MI: Zondervan.

NRSVue. (2022). NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Powery, E. B., Davis, S., Foskett, M. F., Strawn, B. A., Hibbard, J. T., Kooseed, J. L., . . . Setzer, C. (Eds.). (2024). The Westminster Study Bible. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.