I realize it has been several months since my last post. Needless to say, it has been a little crazy around here over the Holidays. Here are some thoughts that have been rattling around my head lately.
When we examine the heart of Christians in America we find a false sense of what true Biblical humility is. I have met so many believers who have such a small view of themselves that they fall short of the call on their lives.
The majority of the Church has attempted to shy away from pride by thinking they are worthless. By doing so, they have entered into a lie that has brought them to the very thing they are trying to avoid. That lie, that we are worthlessness, only accomplishes to turn our focus inward. When we do this we are no longer focused on God. We then begin to feel that we are not worthy of an intimate relationship with Him. This mentality separates us from fellowship with God and only puts more focus on our own existence apart from Him. We see only our abilities and more so our inabilities. Pride is simply a self-image that is apart from God.
This is extremely important in the Kingdom of God because God resists the proud. Proverbs 16:18 also teaches us that pride comes before destruction.
So what is true humility? It is not what you think!
Numbers 12:3
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
NIV
Who wrote the book of Numbers? MOSES DID! Moses wrote, about himself, “I am the most humble man on the face of the planet.” That is amazing! If someone told you that they were the most humble person in town you would laugh at them and call them arrogant.
Look at David. When he came to the battle with Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 he was upset because no one had put this giant in his place. His oldest brother Eliab got upset with David and called him arrogant and conceited. Eliab had been rejected by God to be the King of Israel in the previous chapter. God only rejects people for the pride in their hearts. Eliab was rejected for the very thing he accused David of. David reported to King Saul that God had given him the ability to kill a lion and a bear. David let the King know that the giant would suffer the same fate. Humility is an honest assessment of who we are in Christ.
The Bible does say that our righteousness is like dirty rags and that apart from Jesus we can’t do anything but we are not apart from Him if He is the Lord of our lives.
We are the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) He paid a very high price for us to be “seated with Christ in Heavenly places.” (Ephesians 2:6) The Bible reveals to the world that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Many have understood this to mean that Jesus has this title just because He is Supreme. In part this is true; however, the greater truth is that we are all called to be kings and lords. God told Adam to rule over the earth. We have the same responsibility to rule. When we have that kind of mentality and step up to the purpose for which we were created, then Jesus truly becomes King of kings and Lord of lords.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." -Kris Vallotton
Pastor Justin
