True Humility

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

I recently heard humility described in terms of what it is not and what it is. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking of yourself less." The humility that God desires in us is like that of John the Baptist. Jesus said this about John.

"I [Jesus] tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” - Luke 7:28

You read about famous people in history, and yet there is none who has ever been greater than John the Baptist. Greater in whose eyes? God's. Greatness from spiritual perspective - not man's. John said ...

"You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:28-30

As great as John was in the eyes of God - Jesus is greater. John deferred to Jesus. John's purpose was to proclaim the coming of Jesus. Much like our purpose as ambassadors for Christ. I have known many people in my lifetime who struggled for personal significance. Not before God but before men. Knowing that their parents loved them was more important to them than knowing that God loved them. The first is a natural phenomenon. The second is a spiritual one which has eternal significance. The first often shapes how those people relate to other people. The second will shape how people relate to both God and man. Jesus said a couple things about our humility - well more - but I will share these.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:12-13

Thinking of yourself less and others more.

"This [Love God with your all] is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 22:38-40

Think of others more than you think of yourself. In the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, the first sentence begins - "It's not about you!" It's not, but that is a spiritual truth that cannot be understood and embraced apart from you being born again by the Spirit of God. And then, realized as you decrease so God can increase in you and through you.  

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." - James 4:10

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone