In Matthew 18:1 when Jesus was asked ``Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven,'' why didn't Jesus name a person or an office instead of a child?
"“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Humility's where it's at!
"For the entire Law is fulfilled in in this one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Gal 5:14
Filtering by Category: Pride and Humility
Building up...or being right?
It's important to evaluate our passion when talking about "what God actually said." Sometimes I've found myself arguing just so that I could win and be right. The "why" behind my actions was not to help someone or change a life through God's power, but to assuage my own pride. Now I remind myself,
"It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. He does not forget the cry of the humble." (Proverbs 16:19; Psalm 9:12)
It's NOT about about ME being right, it's about God's truth having the ability to transform the lives of others. Being right and looking over the spoils of my prideful war is worse than nothing, because it can hurt others in the process.
Don't get in a scuffle with God!
As a Christian, would you want God to get in a scuffle with you? To fight against you? To resist you? No way! "Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Think about that! God resists us when we're proud, no matter what awesome achievements or great knowledge we have. Perhaps that's why he instructed pastors of congregations to make sure that they were "Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
Being arrogant and prideful makes our example worthless and puts us in opposition to God! Let's watch it. :D
Do you wear your clothes?
Humility is the key to good leadership, because it allows others to be empowered instead of coerced. It is introspection that looks to improve oneself in order to help others. 1 Peter 5:5 says it like this, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
One of the first things that we do when we get out of bed in the morning is put our clothes on. Let's all clothe ourselves in humility when we get out of bed in the morning, and let's pray that we keep those clothes on throughout the day!
Our knowledge can be of great help.
As we grow in Christ, our knowledge can be of great help to others, but sometimes we can start getting a little bit-picky about things, or even perhaps seeing ALL THE THINGS WRONG with people! I mean seriously, how can that person call himself a Christian? Wow! But wait! We should remember that we all have different challenges and grow at different rates. See some seriously weak Christian? Remember:
"we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:1-2)
Our objective is to build the person up, not just be irritated by the flaws that we're able to see. Reach out. Form a connection. Make a friend, a battle buddy, and help a brother out. :)