What does it mean to “be somebody”?
Johnny Walker, a professional fighter in the UFC, said recently “I want to be somebody now.” At the time, Johnny had 400,000 Instagram followers and was fighting against the best fighters in the world. The recognition that other fighters (namely Conor McGregor) were receiving worldwide caused him to say this statement since he was not as well known. He found a sports management team that helped him get a sponsorship in an attempt to “be somebody.”
Have you ever heard of Johnny Walker? Me either.
In Acts 5:36, Gamaliel references a man named Theudas. Theudas made an attempt to rebel against the Law and the high priest resulting in his death and his army dispersed. Gamaliel refers to him as one who was “claiming to be somebody,” yet “came to nothing.” Ironically, there is no record of Theudas in history. Confession time: one of my biggest pet peeves is when people think they are really good at something that they are not. Sometimes it happens because one lacks the ability of introspection and self-evaluation, and sometimes it’s because one places his/her identity in the activity. Those who place all of their confidence in a job, game, school, etc. cannot accept that they aren’t actually “somebody” because then they’d have to accept that they are a “nobody” (in their own eyes, at least).
Paul describes people that think they’re “somebody” when they’re actually not in Gal. 6:1–3. He is calling for mature Christians in the church (“you who are spiritual”) to help Christians struggling in sin gently and lovingly. He goes on to write in v. 3, “if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” If you’re too puffed up with self-importance to invest in your brothers and sisters, Paul says that you’re actually nothing.
So what should we be? In II Corinthians 11–12, we read of Paul defending his apostleship. He writes “I have been a fool” (12:11) in reference to him having to write his own commendation since the church in Corinth would not (11:16–29). Paul writes that he is not inferior to any apostle and certainly not inferior to the false teachers plaguing the church with their own doctrine. However, while creating this argument of his valid apostleship, he closes v. 11 with “even though I am nobody.” Paul explains in the next verse that though he is a nobody, “signs of a true apostle were performed among you.” He’s making the case that he, a nobody, was the vehicle through which God worked in Corinth. Paul performed the signs because God empowered him to.
Paul could place confidence in his many earthly accomplishments, yet his unshakable confidence is found in God.
Here’s the application: be a nobody that places their confidence, value, and identity in God, the Somebody. What great things a bunch of nobodies could do for the Lord if we accepted this mentality.
Nate Kidwell
Dalraida church of Christ is a congregation of Christians that meet in the mid-town area of Montgomery, Alabama. Our goal and purpose is to seek and follow God and His Word in everything that we do in life.