Continuing Pastor Herk’s message, he asks: what are some things in our lives that we need to let go of in order to meet the needs of others, rather than furthering our own kingdoms? Now is a good time to be thinking of ways that we can be demonstrating Christ-like humility in our community and draw people to Christ. As disciples (students/followers) of Jesus Christ, we can be showing the true example of Christ and how they can see Christ in us.
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will. Humility is not as much a destination to be reached as it is an attitude that we need to embrace; an important attitude as a way of living to God. Pride, arrogance and braggadocio are a sin with a destructive nature. Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him down, but he whose spirit is without pride will receive honor.”
1 Peter 5:5b-6 “God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
Psalm 138:6 “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” God’s opposition to the proud is horrific, and God’s distancing from the proud is absolutely terrifying. Pride and humility are polar-opposites and incompatible with each other. Pride is an attitude that you will find separate and far away from Jesus. Heart conditions and postures that will keep you at a distance from righteousness. The bible addresses it again and again; take it to heart, pride can destroy us.
John 13:3-5, 12-17 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had handed all things over to Him, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper and laid His outer garments aside; and He took a towel and tied it around Himself. Then He *poured water into the basin, and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which He had tied around Himself. Then, when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So, if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
Jesus wanted His disciples to know that He loved them. He took the position of a house servant to show that no one is too important to get down and serve another. We see the heart and character of our Savior, and know the depth of His love for us. How does Christ’s example affect our daily routine? Who do you need to love and humbly serve? Where might you need to confess your pride? Our pride repels, not attracts. Much of the things that we do in our ministry and church live is done to impress and excite but doesn’t really honor God or is honoring and furthering God’s kingdom. Be disciples of Jesus Christ, pointing out the love of God and setting an example as taught by the Lord.
If we are going to please God, we are going to have to do it on His terms. His first requirement for the holiness of His children is for us to be sincerely humble and Christ-like.
In Christ, Brian
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