As I was driving the other day, I heard two or three songs that talked
about people in search of God and trying to connect with God. One song talked
about someone who made an altar from a tree stump. Another song spoke of
mid-life crisis and becoming religious over angels in architecture. And a
different song recognized that the individual did not know anything about God
at all. I marvel at how many secular songs and modern media themes and ideas
there are about man finding God. There are so many different philosophies regarding
what man will do to find God but how many of those concepts originate from the
Creator Himself? All of man’s designs are feeble and the actions man decides to
do to connect with God usually stem from man. This is why there are so many
religions and denominations. Which religion really seeks the Creator first to
ask what God wants? It seems silly that man who is so small, and incapable of
so much, should direct God as to what man will do to please or appease the one
who created everything. That is called pride, and is man’s biggest stumbling
block. Within the church it is worse than anywhere else. We learn something and
that is where we stay and function rather than continuing to learn and grow
with God, which is why many of the called out are stunted. Jesus did tell us
there would be varying commitment levels within the body of Christ and the one
who thinks he knows it all is usually the one who knows the least.
It seems obvious, but wouldn’t it be better to ask the Creator how he
would like things done rather than make plans for the Creator to accept what we
think should be the process? Being that the Holy Spirit gave us the written
documentation as to who the Creator is and what the Creator would like, again
it would seem obvious to inquire within the Bible. Charles Spurgon made the
point that people take what they know and make up ways to do things and make
plans and procedures for others. The bold typeface is my emphasis.
Spurgon’s
Morning and Evening
"He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."— Mark 16:16
Mr.
MacDonald asked the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda how a man must be
saved. An old man replied, "We shall be saved if we repent, and forsake
our sins, and turn to God." "Yes," said a middle-aged female,
"and with a true heart too." "Ay," rejoined a third,
"and with prayer"; and, added a fourth, "It must be the prayer
of the heart." "And we must be diligent too," said a fifth,
"in keeping the commandments." Thus, each having contributed his
mite, feeling that a very decent creed
had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher's
approbation, but they had aroused his deepest pity. The carnal mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work
and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse. Believing and
being baptized are no matters of merit to be gloried in—they are so simple that
boasting is excluded, and free grace bears the palm. It may be that the reader
is unsaved—what is the reason? Do you
think the way of salvation as laid down in the text to be dubious? How can that
be when God has pledged His own word for its certainty? Do you think it too
easy? Why, then, do you not attend to it? Its ease leaves those without excuse
who neglect it. To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely upon Christ
Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at
Jordan, to which the converted ones submitted at Pentecost, to which the jailer
yielded obedience the very night of his conversion. The outward sign saves not,
but it sets forth to us our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and,
like the Lord's Supper, is not to be neglected. Reader, do you believe in
Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears, you shall be saved. Are you still
an unbeliever, then remember there is but one door, and if you will not enter
by it you will perish in your sins.
The first century called-out leaders understood the idea that humility
is a great power. The opposite of humility is pride. Give children instruction
in Christ and they can hunger for more knowledge of Christ. Then in humility
they will pursue that knowledge on their own because they want to.
1 Clement 10:12 Let your children be bred up in the
instruction of Christ:13 And especially let them learn how great a power
humility has with God; how much a pure and holy charity avails with him; how
excellent and great his fear is; and how it will 8 save all such as turn to him
with holiness in a pure mind.14 For he is the searcher of the thoughts and
counsels of the heart; whose breath is in us, and when he pleases he can take
it from us. http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob15.htm
We are to teach our children humility, not the false
self-esteem instruction from our public education system that gives people the
idea of entitlement, “just because.” I think it is shocking when someone
commits a crime, that the basic reasoning of the criminal is that they
committed a crime because they wanted something they didn’t have. In the old
days, spankings worked well for this type of childhood arrogance and cured that
bad behavior, turning foolish children into adults who are respectful
productive citizens. When we raise our people in pride we end up with all types
of problems as a society. But when we raise Christians in pride, God rejects
those people. In fact God hates pride, arrogancy and evil ways.
Prov 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride
[1344], and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. KJV
OT:1344 ge'ah (gay-aw'); feminine from OT:1342;
arrogance: KJV - pride.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
If we lose our fear of God the Creator, we will not hate
this type of evil but instead celebrate it and promote it. When too many
prideful people get together there will always be contentions. As the old
saying goes, “too many cooks spoil the
broth”. If a person believes that he is “right’, then everyone else must be
“wrong”. But if that is the attitude one has, then that one will always lack
wisdom.
Prov 13:10 Only by pride [2087] cometh contention: but
with the well advised is wisdom. KJV
OT:2087 zadown (zaw-done'); from OT:2102; arrogance:KJV -
presumptuously, pride, proud (man).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Why does pride go before destruction? The prideful man
believes he knows all there is to know, and yet when he stands before the
Creator, he will undoubtedly be surprised how little he knew. As previously
mentioned, people learn something and then stop learning, believing that they
have learned it all.
Prov 16:18 Pride [1347] goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall. KJV
OT:1347 ga'own (gaw-ohn'); from OT:1342; the same as
OT:1346:KJV - arrogancy, excellency (-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud,
swelling.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
When we look at a prideful person we recognize
unattractive traits in that individual, but what about in ourselves? Do we
notice the pride and arrogance in ourselves?
Prov 29:23 A man's pride [1346] shall bring him low: but
honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.KJV
OT:1346 ga`avah (gah-av-aw'); from OT:1342; arrogance or
majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament: KJV - excellency, haughtiness,
highness, pride, proudly, swelling.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Honor upholds the humble. Why? The humble man does not
put his knowledge ahead of others, but instead has a willingness to learn. Ezra
tells us this clearly.
2 Esd 8:48-52 In this also thou art marvellous before the
most High:49 In that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and hast
not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous.50 For many
great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the
world, because they have walked in great pride.51 But understand thou for
thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee.52 For unto you is
paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared,
plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea,
perfect goodness and wisdom.53 The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness
and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be
forgotten:54 Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of
immortality.
Unto the humble, paradise is opened. That means there is
no place for a prideful person in paradise. One day immortality will be the
treasure the humble receive. When people take liberty, they despise God.
2 Esd 8:55-60 55 And therefore ask thou no more questions
concerning the multitude of them that perish.56 For when they had taken
liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his
ways.57 Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,58 And said in their
heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die.59 For as the
things aforesaid shalt receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them:
for it was not his will that men should come to nought:60 But they which be
created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto
him which prepared life for them. KJV
Those people who walked in great pride will perish. They
took freedom so far they despised God. In Ezra the prideful didn’t want to learn
about what the Creator has done or what the Creator wanted, instead they
rejected the very one who made them. The prideful trample the righteous and
some even become atheists. Remember what Nimrod did. He inspired atheism
instead of dependence on God. Then, those who wanted to worship a god, made up
their own rules of engagement to connect to God. The true Creator of the
heavens and earth does not take directions from man. Man should take directions
from the Creator. The prideful die in fear because they realize they have no
control over their future. The humble are not fearful at their death because
they have always submitted their lives to the Creator, and because of that they
know Him.
Prov 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of
wisdom; and before honour is humility [6038] .KJV
OT:6038 `anavah (an-aw-vaw'); from OT:6035;
condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective
(clemency):KJV - gentleness, humility, meekness. [q (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
The prideful do not fear the Lord, which hinders
instruction in everything. It also hinders learning about the Creator and His
plans for us. The prideful are never wise.
Prov 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is
haughty, and before honour is humility [6038].
KJV
To be honored by God, one must be humble. Humility comes
first and then God can honor the one who is humble. Paul tells us to walk in
humility in our calling. Instead we see people promoting themselves in the body
of Christ, but as we will see, those who lift themselves up will be laid low by
the Lord God.
Eph 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech
you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all
lowliness [5012] and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in
love;3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. KJV
NT:5012
tapeinophrosune (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay); from a compound of NT:5011 and
the base of NT:5424; humiliation of mind, i.e. modesty:KJV - humbleness of
mind, humility (of mind, loneliness (of mind).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
If God has called you to be a Pastor, or an Evangelist,
your ministry is not more important than those who are called as Teachers, or
Apostles. Prophets are not more important than Pastors and the like. Yet we
have a fundamental problem when people elevate their call over the other
vocations in the body of Christ. Don’t do that. Whatever we do, it should be
done in humility of mind.
Phil 2:1-3 If there be therefore any consolation in
Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels
and mercies,2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind.3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness [5012] of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. KJV
Again Paul says humbleness of mind is something we must
do. Just as we saw last week with virtue, this is something we are to do in our
mind. That tells us our mind does not naturally tend towards humility, we have
to make it think humbly.
Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness [5012] of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; KJV
Peter tells us to be clothed with humility. Like a coat,
put humility on.
1 Peter 5:2-6 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind;3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but
being ensamples to the flock.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.5 Likewise, ye younger,
submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility[ 5012]: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth
grace to the humble.6 Humble [5013] yourselves therefore under the mighty hand
of God, that he may exalt you in due time: KJV
Just in case we didn’t understand it, Jesus told us that
if we want to be honored in the kingdom, or be the greatest in the kingdom, we
have to be humble like a child.
Matt 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble [5013] himself
as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.KJV
NT:5013 tapeinoo (tap-i-no'-o); from NT:5011; to depress;
figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart): KJV - abase, bring low,
humble (self). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Children naturally want to learn until we make learning a
chore. Once we make learning a process to be tested, we then want to do the
least we can to get by and we land on the minimum amount of knowledge to get a
passing grade. That is a shame. We should be learning and growing in our
knowledge of God every day. We will never be done learning about God the Creator
while we are on earth. We probably won’t be done learning about God when we are
in Paradise or Heaven either. As the first century leader Clement suggested, we
should teach our children the power of humility.
Jesus goes on to compare those with pride who exalt
themselves, and the humble.
Matt 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be
abased; and he that shall humble [5013] himself shall be exalted. KJV
We need to understand that pride can encompass all areas
of our lives or only some areas of our lives. We may be humble at work but
prideful at home. We may be prideful in some areas such as Bible knowledge, but
humble in the area of car mechanics. We control what areas we are prideful in
and what areas we are humble in. The goal is to not exalt ourselves in any area
but share what we know if asked. Think about how Jesus lived.
Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled [5013]
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. KJV
Jesus humbled himself, yet he came to earth after being
in heaven. He created the world, and he became obedient to death. He could have
had legions of angels destroy the whole city, like Sodom, but instead in
humility he allowed himself to die on the cross to rescue the righteous dead
and those who would come to believe in him. That is an incredible example of
humility for us to aspire to.
The end result is that if we humble ourselves, the
Creator will lift us up. It is not by our own might, our power or our strength,
but by clothing ourselves in humility that we receive honor from God.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and he shall lift you up. KJV
Instead of teaching our children self-esteem, which is
only based on existence and not by achievement and behavior, we should be
teaching our children humility and how to be humble. The power of humility is
that God will honor the humble, God will raise up the humble. God will exalt
those who put on humility. There is no wisdom in pride and the prideful receive
a torturous end. But Paradise is reserved for the humble.
