"TRUE HUMILITY"

True humility begins with a personal confession. It does no good to compare ourselves with other people, for God's yardstick of holiness and perfection reveals that we all fall short of the glory of God.

"The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility." Proverbs 15:33

Jesus Christ humbled Himself for us, becoming a servant and dying for us on the shameful cross, to forgive all our sins, including those of pride. Our response in faith includes showing true humility by treating others with respect, defending them, speaking well of them, and living peaceably with them.

"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." Titus 3:2,3

Often people will sugarcoat the evil that they perform. But the fact is, that the evil they do, including words and deeds of pride, constitute sin against God.

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteouness which we have one, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:4,5

Waiting for others to act first with generosity and friendliness makes it easy for us to respond in kind. We don't take any risks that way. However, such action, lacking in initiative, is actually motivated by selfishness. The "Christian" should be living by a different motive. By God's grace, we have received a new heart. We have different values, different goals. Faith in Jesus, our Savior, works by love and true humility. Along with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perserverance, godliness and kindness, we need to remember that these are all gifts from God and we should be making every effort to apply them to our lives daily.

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." 1Peter 5:5

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder." This has been reversed in our day ~ today the elder is suppose to submit to the younger. Most younger people are the ones who are protesting, and they are the ones who want to discard the establishment. However, the Christian young person needs to realize that the Word of God says, "Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder." "Yea, all of you be subject one to another." In other words, believers should not insist on having their way over others. "And be clothed with humility." Actually, we are to be armed with it! "For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." A proud person will not be able to experience the grace of God. It is only when we come in humility that we will be able to know the grace of God.

Appliction: Let Jesus be our role model! He had great respect for everyone ~ especially for those whom others failed to respect. This attitude of Christ, respect for others, consists of putting others before ourselves and our sometimes too often selfish ways. There is no place in the Christian's life for lack of humility.

Today's Devotion: "Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." Colossians 2:23

God Bless You All as you strive to be considerate and loving toward others as our Lord's humble servants.