May 15, 2020
Good morning Elbridge Community Church,
There are two kinds of humility mentioned in Scripture
False Humility
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. Col 2:18 (NIV)
Whether it’s in our manner of dress, our speech, or our behavior, anything that draws attention to you and away from Christ is displeasing to God. And is false humility.
True Humility
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Truly humble people are not offended easily they also don’t fight back; they turn the other cheek. And yet their humility is not cowardice, for true humility requires courage. It makes us willing to take a lower place than we deserve, to keep quiet about our merits, and to bear slights, insults, and false accusations for the sake of a higher purpose. True humility doesn’t make you think less of yourself; it just makes you think of yourself less.
The story is told of a man who entered a contest to see who was the most humble. When he won, he was given a badge of merit, but then he wore it and was disqualified!
Pride disqualifies us from enjoying the favor of God. That’s why we need to remind yourself regularly. Everything I am, I owe to God; everything I have, came from God. To Him be all the glory.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Scripture gives this warning to believers; an inflated pride has no place in a believer’s life. This is especially significant in light of Paul’s teaching. No one is better that the other we are all equal in the eyes of God. We are all dependent on God’s mercy for our salvation, thus there is no room for pride. Any such pride would undermine the oneness vital to the growth of the church. That is why Paul says in Colossians3:12.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 (NIV)
Divine humility is the opposite of pride. It is confidence in God, not self. It was the walk of Jesus, and it can be ours if we choose.
Contrary to some beliefs, true humility is not passive, pathetic, or weak. Rather, it is divinely powerful. Humility honors God, and God, in turn, honors us when we exercise it according to His plan. If we humbly yielded to Him, we receive His supernatural power, favor, rewards, strength, provision, love, grace, mercy.
May the favor of God be with you.
Pastor Dennis