Good Morning, Meetpastordan readers: it’s good to be back on line. I was in San Diego last week and did not have my lap top with me. My intent was to use another while I was there, but that proved to be more problematic than I had anticipated. But I have to tell ya…I missed having the opportunity to write last week, so needless to say, I’m pumped up about getting started again.
I had about a half dozen topics going through my head, but true to the methodology I outlined a few weeks ago, when I asked God to illuminate the path he wanted me to follow today, “humility” was clearly the front-runner. This is such an important topic, and certainly one I need to revisit often, so I believe this is a message for me today as much as for anyone else. The reality is…this is not at all what I thought I was going to write about, so “my plan” will probably unfold at a later time.
The Bible is resplendent in its reference to humility. Humility, by its very definition, is the result of being humble. We see it manifested in a person of meekness; modesty in behavior and attitude; deferential or submissive in respect; and unpretentiousness. Humility can also be clearly defined by what it is not: arrogant, prideful, boastful or narcissistic. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5: 5-9) When Jesus delivered this message two thousand years ago, it was absolutely contrary to worldly teaching. And truth be told, it is equally hard for the world to grasp this message today. Why? Because this is God’s standard. It is contrary to worldly thinking.
In this fallen world in which we live, we are bombarded by a message that says it is all about “me”, “me” and more “me”. We are told “you’re number one”; “you deserve a break today”; “go for the gusto!” “be all you can be”; “look out for yourself because no one else is going to look out for you”; “you get out of life what you put into life”, etc. Is there wisdom in this thinking? Yes. Does it require self-discipline? Certainly. Well then…what’s the problem? That answer is clearly and succinctly stated in John 3:30; “He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.”
That statement was made by John the Baptist when his followers came to him and questioned why more people were crossing the Jordan River to be baptized by the one John himself proclaimed as the Messiah rather than coming to John for baptism. His answer showed an insight and a revelation about a “truth” that is rapidly fading from our culture today. He recognized that his role was to “prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming; to make straight a road for him.” John’s role was to call the people to repentance: “Turn from your sins and turn to God.” He knew he baptized only with water, but the Messiah baptized with “the Holy Spirit and with fire! (Matthew 3:3,11) In other words, John displayed humility. He recognized and accepted the difference between his role and Jesus’ role, and he thoroughly supported Jesus’ role.
The Bible takes great care to differentiate between our “sin nature” and “life in the spirit”. That difference is the very essence of being a Christ-follower. Let me reuse my best example of this. When a baby comes out of the mother’s womb, the first response from the baby is to cry. And why is that? Perhaps it’s the bright lights of the delivery room; perhaps he/she feels alone for the first time and wants to be held by the mother; perhaps he/she wants to be nursed? For whatever the reason, the first realization of a new-born baby is the reality of “self”. He/she needs something or wants something. Therefore, it is entirely possible to go from the cradle to the grave with the focus entirely on “self”, unless, of course, one comes face to face with the reality that “it was my own carnal, lustful, self-centered thinking and actions that got me into this mess that I’m facing right now. God help me!”
Bob George states in his book, Classic Christianity: “man was never created to be self-sufficient, but rather was created to be in relationship with God.” The third step of the 12 Step recovery program restates this same message beautifully: “We became willing to turn our will and our life over to the care of God, as we understand Him.” (I underlined “care” because it is imperative that one grasps the essence of this word. Take note: it does NOT say “control”. I am emphasizing that point because I stumbled with this step for a long time because I said “care” when I read it, but I heard “control” in my own head. It was not until I got this straighten out that I could move on.) And what does a care-taker do for someone? He looks out for their best interest, provides for their needs, keeps them safe, guides and protects them. It is the same reason we turn to a financial advisor or have a lawyer on retainer. So my next question is, “why limit ourselves by choosing a care-taker of only human proportions?”
I know how crazy that sounds to worldly thinking because admitting our own lack of self-sufficiency is generally viewed as a sign of weakness. But I know where I found the answer because I was the person looking for that “something” that would make me “feel” whole, or to give me “a sense of” value. And I was willing to follow the worldly path suggested to me. I read a myriad of “self-help” books and talked to trained therapists. But the conclusion (actually… I’ll be bold and say the “revelation”) that finally set me free was the same revelation expressed by John the Baptist in John 3:30 a few paragraphs above: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” My problem was not a lack of me. My problem was way too much focus on ME!
I will turn now to much better authors than myself to substantiate that reality. Apostle Paul points out in 1Corinthians 1:18,21,25: “I know very well how foolish the message of the cross (God’s Gift of Salvation to all who will accept it) sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans.” Then Jesus makes it perfectly clear that the truth of scripture is revealed through revelation by the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17, He states: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” And Apostle James tells us in 4:10, “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” (my underline for emphasis)
Saint Augustine also stressed the importance of humility in Bible study. He pointed out that only a humble person can grasp the truth of Scripture. (DDC 2.41.62). C.S. Lewis strengthens that truth when he writes in Mere Christianity “that pride is the ‘anti-god’ state, the position in which self and ego are directly opposed to God.” It is in this same paragraph that we hear his famous statement: “humility is not thinking less of our self, but thinking of our self less.”
It is in humility that we realize our lack of self-sufficiency. But take it from one who had to crash and burn before that message took root, that does not have to be an “end of the story” condition. In fact, a new door has just opened to all who will have the courage to walk through it because this is when we are most teachable. And let us not forget that God did not create us to be self-sufficient apart from Him. And that very truth is the stumbling block for the proud and arrogant.
But the good news is, God has told us that if we “seek him we will find him” (Jeremiah 29:13), and that “if we abide in him, he will abide in us”. (John 15:7) When we humbly accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have found the key that unlocks the treasure trove of all wisdom and truth. The more we mature as a Christ-follower, the more our faith grows and the more we experience the peace and serenity we always wanted, but here-to-fore had been looking in all the wrong places. Jesus Christ IS ALL we will ever need. “He IS the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) So the only way to win is to surrender our will to His will. A-men!
So my question to you is: on a scale of 1-10, where are you on the humility chart?
May God bless ya, and feel free to respond to this posting, and please share this with other social media friends.
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
Thank you.
Thank you, Iris. I appreciate your feedback and support.