Have you been humbled?
Will humility make you a better person?
Humility and humble have become forgotten words in our celebrity culture. There is a feeling of entitlement, an air of deservedness (if that’s a word) pushed in our culture. “You deserve better.” Or “You don’t deserve that.” Are phrases I have heard before. According to scripture, none of us have received what we deserve.
The Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter five starts with humility. Those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness will find what they long for. Everyone else has already received their reward in full, what more is there to hope for?
Jesus tells us, “whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Matt 23:12).” He goes on to say, “The greatest among you will be your servant (Matt 23:11).”
Humility may be the beginning of wisdom. A humble person is able to be taught and has much to learn. The proud shut their eyes and ears, they do not need or want to learn. This is their folly and their destruction.
Philippians tells us to do nothing from selfish ambition, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. Do not look only to your own interest but also to the interests of others. This is the heart of how we practice the teachings of Jesus.
In Chronicles God tells the people, if they humble themselves, seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, He will heal their land. Today, He will heal our hearts. God wants to bless us and heal our hearts.
Our hearts are broken, crushed, and bleeding. We have experienced a great deal of pain and loss. God wants to heal them, make them whole again, complete. It can only happen, if we allow Him to. God wants to bless you, but you must allow him to.
Healing happens through humility.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that tat the proper time he may exalt you (1 Peter 5:6).” If anyone knows the value of humility Peter, who wrote that, does. He denied knowing Jesus three times. He was afraid and lied about their friendship. When Jesus returned from the dead, he asked Peter, “Do you love me?” three times. The third time Jesus asked if Peter loved him as a close friendship, as a brother loving another. This is the Greek word for brotherly love, a deeper love than just an acquaintance.
Jesus asked, “Do you love me brother?”
Peter is grieved because he understands what Jesus is asking and correcting. “Yes Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus replies, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus left a lot to be done and cared for. We are responsible for carrying the name of Christ forward with our example. We are to continue His teaching through what we do. We are to be the servant, the suffering servant, as Jesus was. We are to hold fast to His words and the hope he has given to us, it’s not too late for humanity.
Humanity has an opportunity to unite in service to one another. Humanity has an opportunity to unite in humility and inherit the earth. Humanity can bring haling to the world and the planet, but it requires humility and trust in God. Trust he will care for our needs. Trust in His wisdom.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthains8:9).”
Humility is the only way to peace and our inheritance of the Earth.
May you find the wisdom of humility.
May you be peace makers.
May you have everlasting life.
Amen.