Within the “faith chapter” of the New Testament, there is a summary statement listing heroes and heroines of faith whose exploits are not listed in detail.
And what more shall I say: For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak
and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through
faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weaknesses
were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mocking and scourging, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. (Heb. 11:32-36)
Without quoting the remainder of the chapter, this portion is sufficient to emphasize the point being made. While there are people of great faith whose stories are recorded in scripture in some detail, there are others whose names we will never know this side of eternity whose faith was just as strong, whose exploits were just as great, and whose impact upon their generation was just as remarkable as those whose names are well recognized.
Keeping this point in mind can cause us to be cautious in the way in which accolades are given to those around us. While it is not a problem to acknowledge what people have done, where they have gone, what they have written, the extensiveness of their study, etc. – when such summations of life either encourage or cause us to equate accomplishments with being “the expert” in one field or another, we become victims of either placing greater faith in humanity than is warranted or in believing that we could never attain the same degree of faith, knowledge, commitment, etc. as have they.
Sometimes, the line between humility and arrogance is a fine line indeed. Perhaps it is even
possible to cross that line without even being aware of such a journey. How, then, can we offer
praise for dedication and accomplishment in the kingdom of God without crossing the line into
elevating soldiers of the cross to a status which can cause problems? Perhaps one answer to the
above question is found in what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Understanding the danger
of self-esteem turning into self-praise, Paul wrote:
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your
bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (II Cor. 4:5-7)
Maybe another answer is found at the end of Hebrews eleven. “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Heb. 11:39, 40). As great as the faith and accomplishments are of the heroes and heroines of the Old Testament, God “provided something better for us”! If Christians can keep the heart and mind of a servant, no matter what others may say about them – the chances of listening to compliments in unhealthy ways will be greatly diminished.