Humble
Humble
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This is a tough subject because when we think we are, we most likely are not. But, how does humility affect our choices? What does humility have to do with being a foghorn is someone else’s life? In fact, how does humility or lack thereof affect me?
Humility affects every area of our lives from our mindset and what we need, want, or choose in our lives to our responses to others. In studying the Gospel of Mark frequently I find pride is the antagonist to humility. Pride drives us away from God. Humility draws us to God.
When we least expect it pride wriggles in and catches us unaware. All of a sudden its our rights we want to defend, our position we want to promote, our feelings that have been hurt, or those we have offended because of our pride or stubbornness.
Wow, does that sting.
But, we think we’re right. We may be, however, Jesus has some words on the subject that put humility, pride, and it’s conflict in perspective.
When studying the book of Revelation last year, there was a profound and overwhelming realization of how much Jesus loves us. The character and determination for Christ to wait (before destroying Satan) for the very last person to say yes to salvation and turn to God was so remarkable. Revelation is the culmination of the love story of God and mankind.
But let’s go back to the beginning of the story for a moment. God created the earth, the moon, and the stars; the galaxies and all that lay within. He created the waters and all that dwelled within. He created the earth and all the creatures each and every one. Then He created man and then woman. He is an all-powerful, omniscient, omnipresent God. He is the Alpha and Omega.
He then chose to come to the earth in human form as a sacrifice to free all mankind from sins’ grip. He, God humbled Himself for us rather than wiping us off the face of the earth and starting over without free will. He had created us in His image and likeness and loved us so much He didn’t exercise His might. He exercised His humility; strength under control. He was determined to make a way for those that chose to follow Him.
During the time in Revelation He could have said in anger and fury, “Satan, you are done” and cast him into hell for eternity and causing the few rebellious souls who ultimately turned to God, to go with Satan.
But, He didn’t.
God being who He is, knew who would turn and who wouldn’t but God was unwilling to violate their free will. He let them choose. But, He wouldn’t leave them behind either.
So He waited; with all the saints He waited. (Revelation 6:10-11)
He could have destroyed all but He chose to control His strength to achieve His mission, allow everyone the freedom to choose, chose God or Satan. His ego didn’t get in the way, His rights didn’t stop Him, His power and authority didn’t usurp God’s plan.
Humbly He waited; Humbly He guided those still here who were faithful. His Holy Spirit empowered those who were the reflection of God in a horrifically evil time and place for the last few people that would ultimately choose God’s love in the midst of fierce opposition.
He had the power, right, and authority to defeat the enemy. He brought all of that under control to achieve God’s plan of ultimate love for an eternity with Him for those that chose it.
No man or woman left behind.
We say “but we are not Jesus in all of His power.” We are correct in a way. But, He showed us The Way. When He was tempted by Satan in the desert Jesus said: “it is written, get thee behind me Satan.” Temptation in pride was in front of Him at His most vulnerable times.
The temptation with Satan; when Jesus came up from the water when John baptized Him, God opened the heavens and said; “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus knew who He was. Even though as the Son of God, he could summon 10,000 angels with a word and destroy the enemy yet he chose to deny his rights. Jesus knew the end of the journey both for Himself and Satan and yet chose not to give the information to Satan so Satan couldn’t thwart the plan of salvation. Jesus allowed Satan to think he had the power. Jesus had the power, under control – Humility.
Jesus knew we couldn’t walk His walk alone so he sent us The Holy Spirit to help, guide, and give us the strength to walk humbly before God and man. We need to remember we are here for a purpose; a God-given purpose and we need to guard our hearts, minds, and souls so we can achieve that purpose.
Our biggest enemy would be pride. The late John R.W. Stott put it this way.
“Pride is your greatest enemy, humility is your greatest friend.”
And CS Lewis was quoted saying:
“According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.”
Make no mistake about it: pride is the great sin. It is the devil’s most effective and destructive tool.
True humility is strength under control. Christ-likeness is the ultimate image of true humility.
The only way to acquire humility is to lean into God Himself. Asking God for His plan for our lives. He gives us what we need to accomplish all that He has called us to do. We ask His Holy Spirit to fill us with His power wisdom and strength. Reading His Word and spending time with Him and praying without ceasing.
Learning from one another, a testimony of a lady I heard the other day at a Bible Study shed light not just on those who stay close or faithful to God all their life but to everyone who desires to be Jesus followers. She said she found as long as she was doing in-depth Bible studies she was able to stay in a good place with God, herself, and others. I think it is the coming together and studying God’s word that we become aware of not only His love for us but also our need for Him.
Are you today willing to reach out to others to study God’s word? The saying is “iron sharpening iron.” Are you willing to ask God for His plan for you and the grace, strength, and wisdom to follow His plan?
