[Preachin']

"Genuine Christianity is about self-denial, not self-empowerment."


Actually, it's about empowerment through self-denial.

PHILLIPIANS 2

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

But no one will ever bow to us. Jesus alone is the exalted One. Jesus is Lord. God gets the glory. Making it about exalting us or bring us some right of prosperity is just slimy and wrong.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Maybe I just don't like your word choice: empowerment. But maybe you are referring to I Peter 5:6-7 and Luke 14:7-11. Also, see Job. God will exalt us in due time (not in the way these people mean). We are to humble ourselves. That's our part. We are not to seek exaltation. And when God lifts us up, it will not be something we measure by worldly standards. We should be content, humble and grateful.

Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

1 Peter 5
5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Is that what you meant?