Childlike Humility
The Apostle Paul said, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.” We meet together so that we can fan each other’s flames… so that we can burn brightly for our Lord. As John Wesley said when asked why people walked so far to hear him preach, “I set myself on fire with the Holy Spirit and people come from miles around to watch me burn.”
The gospel’s message is to go into all the world to make disciples, teaching them to observe all things that Jesus has shown by his example. Grace is caught and not taught. Jesus was our example of grace. Humility is required in order to receive God’s gracious gift of salvation.
According to Matthew 18, “AT the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”
Jesus said, “if anyone wants to come after me he must deny himself.” In order to approach the throne of grace, we must forsake our pride. He said that you must humble yourself like a little child. Children are innocent and unassuming. They know that they have nothing to brag about. A little child has no pride… He runs to his father when he needs help. Jesus said that unless you forsake your pride, become humble and turn from yourself and unto the Lord like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus taught another parable. He said, when you go into a banquet, don’t sit in the seat of honor. The greatest lessons of life are learned sitting on the bench. Either we can humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God or he will humble us. Grace is received only by humility. There is nothing we could ever do to earn God’s favor. For by grace are ye saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
Jesus told a parable of a wedding feast. The people who were invited were given a white robe to wear to enter the wedding feast. We are unclean in the filthy rags of our own flesh. We must wear the white robe he provided in order to enter the presence of the Lord. Our credentials are not in our own strength, wisdom or wealth. Salvation is only through through grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone.
According to Philippians 2:3-5, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Salvation starts with humility. To repent means to turn from sin and unto the Lord. We inherited our sin nature from Adam. As the Apostle Paul said, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” God will humble those he has called to receive his gracious gift of the Holy Spirit.
Sin is to fall short of the mark. The emphasis is not on missing the mark, but on the mark itself. The mark is the word of God…the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Salvation begins with submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ.
God will teach us that we’re not in control…He is. In life’s crises, he will teach us that his ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts. He will teach us through trials to praise him no matter what. Circumstances teach us through his intensive care the meaning of deliverance. The attitude of Jesus Christ said, “nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” God called Jesus for a mission. His mission was your redemption and mine. “Drinking of the cup of suffering and death” was God’s plan for Jesus’ mission. For he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
We’re also called to our Father’s mission… That when the crisis comes and courage is required, we will be the reliable ones. That despite the circumstances and situations of life, we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Philippians 3:5-11 continues: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,”“and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The attitude of humility was also in Christ. Regardless of our circumstances, we can control our own attitudes. In the midst of the trials of life, God will prepare his men to learn patience and love. For tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.
Meekness and humility is the requirement for receiving God’s grace. We must empty our hands and ourselves before he can fill us. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations. Therefore delight thyself in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart. God’s plan is better than our plan…We are His plan. For it is God who worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.
May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael