Today's scripture: Psalm 25:8-9
Humility ... not a word that is used much in our society. We hear about the
best and the brightest. The smartest. The most talented. The richest. The most
powerful.
We take pride in ... well, being prideful.
We compare ourselves to others. We get "puffed up" when people tell
us we've done well. We look in the mirror and say, "Good for me!"
This isn't how we Christ-followers should be. Time and time again, the Bible
writes that pride is a sin and humility, a virtue. We read, "Pride and arrogance and the evil
way ... [God] hate[s] ..." (NKJV, Proverbs 8:13) or "When pride comes, then comes shame; But
with the humble is wisdom"
(11:2) or "A man’s pride
will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor" (29:23).
Jesus Himself illustrated humility.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who,
being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the
death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
Besides, nothing we are, nothing we have, nothing we can do is because of us.
If we have any abilities, it's because God has given them to us. So when we're
prideful, we're taking credit for something God
has done.
God loves humble hearts. He loves it when we praise Him for what He does in and
through our gifts and talents.
So, the next time you're doing something, and someone commends you for your
efforts, certainly graciously thank them. But then say, "I'm grateful to
God for what He does through me."
Give credit where credit is definitely
due!
Today’s scripture: Romans 12:3
A few days ago, we looked at how grace should make us humble. Today’s verses
share similar theme.
By grace, we are saved.
By grace, we are children of God.
By grace, we are given gifts to serve God and others.
Everything we are, everything we have, everything we can do … these are all
gifts of grace.
So why do we think that we are so
important? That we accumulated all we
have? That we can do what we do?
We are nothing without God. We have nothing without God. We can do nothing without God.
It is only by God’s abundant grace and overwhelming love—both so underserved—that
we experience the amazing blessings we do.
To think “more highly” of ourselves than we should is basically saying that
grace is meaningless.
How tragic …
Today’s scripture: James 4:7-10
James gives us a check list of things we should do as Christ-followers. We
should:
Submit to God. This means giving everything we are and everything we have to
Him. Every day. It all belongs to Him anyway, but sometimes we hold back a
little. A habit. A desire. A relationship. Give it all to Him.
Resist the devil. Don’t just hope he’ll go away. Resist him. Combat his wiles
with scripture. Defy his presence.
Draw near to God. Seek Him constantly. Pray. Read His word. Ask Him to reveal
His will.
Cleanse your hands and purify your heart. Figuratively cleanse yourself of all
sin by confessing everything that takes your mind and heart off of God.
Be miserable … Okay, I kind of hit a roadblock with this one. Everything up to
this I totally understand. But we’re to be miserable and mourn and weep? Why?
So I went to one of my trusted commentaries. According to the Adam Clarke Commentary:
… many of those to whom St. James addressed this epistle had lived a very irregular
and dissolute life. He had already spoken of their lust, and pleasures,
and he had called them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps
they were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks here of their
laughter and their joy; and all the terms taken together show that
a dissolute life is intended.
In other words, if you’re living in the joy and laughter of sin, you need to
feel the misery and sadness of your sin, and you need to repent.
And finally, humble yourself. God exalts (other translations say “lifts up”) the
humble—the truly humble in heart. It’s not necessarily that He’ll give you all
the desires of your heart or lift you to a place of prominent. Rather, He’ll
lift you from the depths of your sin and cloth you in pure garments.
Are there any of these you need to work on? Pray for God to work through you to
be more like Christ.
Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:5-8
I read these verses and am humbled. Yesterday, I wrote about pride and how
sometimes we can get caught up in what “we” can do.
Then I remember that God the Son chose to humble Himself—really humble Himself.
He left the Father’s side and took on flesh. He became a human being, subject
to weariness, temptation, pain, denial, and betrayal. And even more, He humbled
Himself and hung on a cross to pay the penalty for my sin.
How can I think highly of myself when I know what Jesus did for me? Again,
everything I am, everything I have, everything I can do is a gift from God. I
do nothing without His leading, His guidance, His will.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me when I
think too highly of myself, when I feel ungodly pride. Help me to be humble, to
remember Your humility. I pray that all I do will bring glory to You. Amen.
Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:3-4
Pride. It’s something many of us struggle with, and it’s something that God
abhors (see Prov. 8:13; 16:18; Mark 7:22). We look at “our” gifts and talents,
or what “we’ve” achieved, and we think, “Good for me!” Even more, we sometimes
look at what others do, and think, “I could do that better.”
We forget—often—that anything we have and anything we can do comes from God. So
to be prideful about what we do is ironic. Instead, we’re called
to be humble, to do all things with “lowliness of mind.” Not selfish. Not
conceited. Rather, we should honor others.
Now this doesn’t mean we’re supposed to be doormats and let people walk all
over us. We can look out for our “own interests.” We can—and should—do our best
in all things. We should “do all in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17). But we
also need to make certain we’re supporting our brothers and sisters.
Imagine your life if you could sincerely “esteem others better.” If you could
genuinely celebrate the gifts and talents God has given everyone. If you
trusted God to use each of us according to His will. If you truly believed none
of us is better than another.
Imagine.
Today's scriptures: Galatians 6:3-5
Have you ever done something or said something that made you stop and think to
yourself, “I’m pretty talented or smart or clever”? Your chest expands with
pride. You stand just a little taller. You may even compare yourself to others
and think, “I’m better than they are.”
That’s pride. When we think we can do something great, we’re being prideful. In
fact, we are nothing without the gifts and talents God has blessed us with. We
are nothing even when we think we’re something. And we’re deceiving ourselves.
Each of us has been given work to do by our Father, and we must focus on
completing that work. At the beginning of each day (and I so often fail to do
this), we should ask God to use us that day. We should strive do to His
assigned work. Then at the end of each day, we can look over that day’s work
and be content with what He’s done through us.
Not comparing ourselves to others. Not preening about what we have done.
Rather, delighting in the knowledge that we’ve followed His will, done His
work, helped to build His kingdom.
We aren’t responsible for anyone else’s load. We are only to complete the tasks
He’s given us, and complete them with joyful hearts.
And be thankful He’s chosen to use us at all.
Then we can boast in our heavenly Father and what He’s done through us—not what
we think we’ve done on our own.
Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-13
Paul, the writer of the majority of the New Testament, deliverer of wisdom,
faithful servant of God, could very well have boasted regularly about how God
used him. Yet one of his most visible attributes is his humility.
I believe he never forgot what God had done for him. He had actually, literally
persecuted Christ’s followers.
When we first meet Paul, he’s supervising the execution of Stephen. Before he
meets Jesus, he wants nothing more than to wipe out this new movement following
the upstart Nazarene. He’s on his way to Damascus when, as the Bible
says: “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples
of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the
synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men
and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).
Then he meets Jesus: “As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to
the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am
Jesus whom you are persecuting’ …” (Acts 9:3-5).
It’s easy to see why Paul would call himself a “nobody.” And I totally
understand his humility. Even after Paul showed such hate towards Jesus and His
people, Jesus lovingly saved him, and God used him in amazing ways.
I too am a “nobody.” I turned my back on God for so many years, choosing to
live, not to honor Him, but to fulfill my own fleshly desires. Yet, when I came
back to Jesus, He welcomed me with open arms.
And I too am being used by God. It’s enough to make me fall on my face in
humble gratitude.
What an amazingly gracious God we serve!
Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:14-18
I know I’ve written about this before, but we really have nothing to boast
about in ourselves. Or perhaps I should speak only of myself.
I’m so flawed. So very flawed.
I want so much to be a godly, humble woman, but then my flesh rears its ugly
head. And suddenly, I’m discontent. Or I’m discouraged. Or I’m prideful
I get a chance to use a God-given gift, and someone affirms me. Instead of
immediately giving praise and honor to the Lord, I think, “Yeah. I did well.
Good for me.”
Instead of boasting in the Lord, I boast in myself. And that truly breaks my
heart.
I know—truly know—that nothing I have, nothing I am, nothing I can do is of my
own merit. My abilities to speak and write and teach come directly from God. It
is His voice that sings or acts through me. I live in a home that He gave me. I
drive a car that He provided.
And as Job said (and I paraphrase), “The Lord gives, and the Lord can take
away.” Because it’s all His.
We have nothing to boast about. Absolutely nothing.
Instead, we should give praise and gratitude to the One who chooses to bless us
by entrusting our gifts and our things to us.
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is not arrogant.
Other versions say, “love is not proud.”
Love means not thinking too highly of oneself. Paul defines this so well
in Philippians 2:3-4:
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you
look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Lowliness of mind doesn’t mean we’re to be doormats; rather, it means we’re to
love as Christ loved, with a servant’s heart:
Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the
form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the
point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)
Loving without
arrogance requires an attitude of humility.
Are you able to truly rejoice in the blessings others experience? Are you
willing to serve in the background if that’s what God calls you to do? Will you
serve as Christ did, with a humble servant’s heart?
Then you’ll love without being arrogant.
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
A few years ago, I had the privilege of being in production of Annie. One line struck me then ... and
now. Mr. Warbucks says something like, “It doesn’t matter who you step on to
get up the ladder if you don’t plan on coming back down again.”
That’s pride.
Pride is selfish and self-serving. It boasts in “self,” and says, “It’s all
about me.” Pride says, “I’m better than you are, and so I deserve more than you
do.” Prideful people are out for “number one,” and they don’t care who they
have to step on to get what they want.
On the other end of the spectrum is humility.
Humility is self-less and other-serving. Humility says, “What can I do to help
you?” It is sincerely interested in others and desires to lift others up.
As Paul wrote in another of his epistles: “Don't be jealous or proud,
but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about
them as much as you care about yourselves” (CEV,
Philippians 2:3-4).
I’ve
struggled with pride, with thinking that I’m somehow better than someone else.
And then God reminded me that, first of all, He loves each of us equally.
Second, He’s gifted each of us uniquely, and each of us serves Him however He’s
gifted us. Third, I can’t do anything on my own; He works His will through me.
If I can do anything, it’s only through the strength of Christ. It’s not about
me … It’s about Him and what I can do to serve Him and others.
And if I’m going to boast about anything, it must be about Him. Because without
Him, I can do nothing.
Today's scripture: Psalm 25:8-9
Humility ... not a word that is used much in our society. We hear about the
best and the brightest. The smartest. The most talented. The richest. The most
powerful.
We take pride in ... well, being prideful.
We compare ourselves to others. We get "puffed up" when people tell
us we've done well. We look in the mirror and say, "Good for me!"
This isn't how we Christ-followers should be. Time and time again, the Bible
writes that pride is a sin and humility, a virtue. We read, "Pride and arrogance and the evil
way ... [God] hate[s] ..." (NKJV, Proverbs 8:13) or "When pride comes, then comes shame; But
with the humble is wisdom"
(11:2) or "A man’s pride
will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor" (29:23).
Jesus Himself illustrated humility.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to
be equal with God, but made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness
of men. And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
(Philippians 2:5-8)
Besides, nothing we are, nothing we have, nothing we can do is because of us.
If we have any abilities, it's because God has given them to us. So when we're
prideful, we're taking credit for something God
has done.
God loves humble hearts. He loves it when we praise Him for what He does in and
through our gifts and talents.
So, the next time you're doing something, and someone commends you
for your efforts, certainly graciously thank them. But then say, "I'm
grateful to God for what He does through me."
Give credit where credit is definitely
due!
Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3
We are unworthy of any grace or mercy, yet God sees us as worthy. We are sinful
by nature, yet when we accept the gift of salvation, our sins are washed away.
So how do we—in even the smallest way—honor God and show Him gratitude for that
gift?
By learning to “walk in a manner worthy of [God’s] calling.”
How do we do that?
Paul lays it out well: We need to be humble, gentle, patient, and tolerant in
love, and we need to preserve unity in peace.
Pretty tall order, isn’t it?
I’m pretty sure I can be gentle … and I’m pretty tolerant in love, accepting
people as they are. Certainly, sometimes that does mean “love the sinner, hate the
sin.” I seek peace in all interactions.
But patience? I’ve been working on that one for ages—or should I say the Spirit
has been working in me. I still tend to want what I want when I want it. I am
getting better at this, though, the older I get. I recognize how God has worked
in the past, and His timing is usually not my timing.
And humility? This is another area in which I need help. I’m learning to put
others ahead of myself (Philippians 2:3-4).
It’s not easy, but it’s part of the journey. Praise God!—my walk is an
ongoing, continuous action, and I’ll continue growing and learning until I meet
my Lord face-to-face.
So how’s your walk? Are you struggling with any of these? Pray that the Spirit
will work in you and through you, so you will be worthy of God’s calling.
Today's scripture:
Colossians 3:12-14
I began keeping a journal almost 19 years ago, just one year after I recommitted my
life to the Lord. Whenever I begin a new journal (I just started number 35), I
reread the previous. It's a wonderful way to reflect on my journey and God's
faithfulness.
Many themes run consistently throughout: forgiveness, humility, love.
I've documented how I was able to forgive others because Jesus forgave me. I
often—very often—humbly thank God for His grace and mercy He continually
showers on me. I revel in the abundant and everlasting love with which He
envelops me.
I am blessed. So very blessed.
My God has given me so much more than I deserve, so how can I do anything but
show His love to others?
Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae that they were to be compassionate,
kind, humble, gentle, and patient. These are attributes that are sometimes in
short supply, even (especially?) in the church. How often do we complain about others or
question their service, thinking we could do something better than they? We should be sincerely celebrating how God uses others.
We're to bear with and forgive each other. How often do we hold a grudge
instead of forgiving any complaint? When we hold on too tightly to anger or
unforgiveness, we're allowing a cancer to grow in our hearts. One of the most
freeing things we can do is forgive someone who's hurt us. I know this from
personal experience.
Finally, we are to put on love, the "perfect bond of unity." I pray
every day that the body of Christ would be unified, that we'd celebrate those
things we have in common and agree to disagree about the rituals or traditions
that aren't foundational to our faith.
If we would love each other with genuine love, we would show the world what it
really means to be like Christ, the One who loves us all so much He was willing
to die for us.
This is nothing less than those of us who are "chosen by God" should
live.
