Humility - Part 2

Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.”

Michael continues, Humility is the prerequisite to entering into the presence of God. The Israelite Pharisee thought that God would hear him for his boasting and his eloquence of speech. However, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. The Pharisee prayed, “God I’m thankful that I’m better than those sinners over there.” However, the tax collector, hated by the world, prayed “Lord have mercy on me a sinner.” Whose prayer did God hear? Humility is the requirement before God can hear our prayer. Therefore, Lord, humble my heart under the mighty hand of God … Not my will, but thine be done.

Titus 2:9-3:3 tells us to, “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

Humility is required before repentance. I must first turn from myself in order to turn unto God. The wisdom of God’s Word in the Bible is the opposite of the wisdom of this world. The goal of life is not self-aggrandizement. It is not the profit motive to enrich myself at the expense of living for Him in whom I live and move and have my being. Selfish competition and winning in the eyes of the world is the exact opposite of victory in the eyes of God. Victory is only in Christ … to be not overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good. Victory is to glory in God and not in my own vain glory. The essence of love is to think no evil … to rejoice not in iniquity, but to rejoice in the truth.

Colossians 3:11b-12 “Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”

To change a culture, we as men and women of God must humble our hearts and submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God. As a band of brothers and sisters, we must walk hand in hand with our Lord Jesus Christ, whose hand was pierced by the nails of our sin and iniquity. Wherefore God has exalted Him, He having paid the price for your sin and mine. He who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice for us, that we who were dead in trespasses and sins may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Peter 5:5b-7 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Humility is to humble yourself. The sacrifice unto the Lord is a broken and a contrite spirit. O Lord, You are the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after your will, while I am broken, yielded and still.

May God richly bless you.
Your brother in Christ, Michael