Jeremiah Ogedegbe
Jesus made his disciples to understand that greatness is all about potentials not possessions. He brought to them a little child and told them that for anyone to be called great in the kingdom he must be like this child, that is , he must be born again (be a child of God by obeying God's word). This came up while the disciples were arguing about who is the greatest among them.
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,...
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 18:1,2 and 4).
Before talking about the two dimensions of greatness, I will define greatness from my perspective.
What is Greatness?
Greatness is reaching your full potential. According to Paul the Apostle, Greatness is reaching the mark (Phillipians 3:14).
Now, the Dimensions of Greatness
Greatness has two dimensions:
1. Mystery
2. Mastery
Mysteries are visions and prophecies to be fulfilled. Greatness has its spiritual root where it begins. Before Jesus was born prophecies, predictions and visions have already foretold his greatness.
Great men of God in the bible were great because of what they saw: "Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree." (Jeremiah 1:11). Where there is no vision the people perish in hardship, lack and reproach. That's why David prayed wholeheartedly that the LORD should open his spiritual eyes (Psalms 119:118).
Also the book of Revelation 17 :5 tells us about the greatness of a woman:
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. ".
Mystery is the height of Greatness: Through the ability to understand visions and to know prophecies you are higher than any force on earth. You find yourself in the position of power concerning your life and others. When the bible says wisdom is the principal thing, it is actually saying that mystery is the principal thing.
Mastery which is the other dimension of greatness is having a thorough understanding of your work, (your gift, your talent, your career, your academics) here on earth. Mastery will bring you into limelight of fame. The bible is one revelational book that teaches one about the rewards of diligence (the bible is more than a literature, the bible is LIGHT). When you understand the thing you do and build on it , we call it 'skill'. Learning is just a way of gathering experiences. 1 Corinthians 9: 25-26 says,
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: "
Mastery is base area of Greatness: when you are good in something you do, you attract favours and reward for it. But mastery takes one thing that many lack- Temperance!
Temperance is one positive character that keeps you in the track of greatness. "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:"
'When one is out of temperance, one is out of greatness'; different sought of people come from behind to overtake him (and he is left behind).
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
(1 Corinthians 9 : 27).
God loves you.
This article was written by Jeremiah Ogedegbe, tweets
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