"In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for 'God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.' So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you... Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." I Peter 5:5-9 (NLT)
In Humility True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney quotes John Stott: "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend."
[He goes on to state] "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness."
"Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him."
"The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in effect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive. No wonder God opposes pride. No wonder He hates pride. Let that truth sink into your thinking."
"Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility: this is true greatness as the Savior defined it."
"Let's ask ourselves: When it comes to the values we live by, what will others say about us one day: Will they testify that humility characterized our lives?"
I ask myself often, am I more concerned about what people think or am I looking forward to hearing my Savior say "well done thou good and faithful servant!"
I'm struggling with life and all the "stuff" we go through as I'm learning to Keep my eyes on Christ. I want to be able to say with Paul "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).
I pray for each of you, that Jesus will be more real to you today and as you learn to humble yourself before Him, know that He will lift you up in due time.
In His Marvelous Grace,
Dave Broome
Heb. 12:1-4
