Humility
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
To humble ourselves before the Lord, we must first understand what humility truly means. Humility is often misunderstood as weakness or self-deprecation. However, biblical humility is about recognizing our true position in relation to God. It is acknowledging our limitations, our dependence on God's grace, and our need for His guidance.
Let us examine the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee, proud and self-righteous, prays about his own goodness. The tax collector, on the other hand, humbly acknowledges his sinfulness and begs for God's mercy. Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. This parable illustrates that true humility pleases God and leads to exaltation.
James 4:10 calls us to humble ourselves specifically before the Lord. This act of humility involves submitting to God's will, trusting in His plans, and acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. It requires us to relinquish control and surrender our pride and ego.
Practical Application:
1. Prayer and Confession: Regularly engage in prayer and confession, recognizing your shortcomings and asking for God's guidance.
2. Seeking God's Will: Actively seek God's will in your decisions and trust in His timing and wisdom.
3. Gratitude: Cultivate a heart of gratitude, acknowledging that every good gift comes from God and not from our own efforts.
The second part of James 4:10 promises that God will lift us up when we humble ourselves. This exaltation is not about worldly success or recognition but about being elevated in God's sight. It is about experiencing His favor, grace, and the joy of a deepened relationship with Him.
Jesus' Humility and Exaltation
Philippians 2:5-11 describes how Jesus, though being in the very nature God, humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. Because of His humility, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names. Jesus' example shows us that true humility leads to divine exaltation.
Humility should also permeate our relationships with others. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Practical Application:
1. Listening: Practice active listening and show empathy towards others' perspectives and feelings.
2. Service: Serve others selflessly, following Jesus' example of washing His disciples' feet.
3. Forgiveness: Extend forgiveness and grace, recognizing that we too are in need of God's mercy.
In conclusion, let us remember that humility is not just a virtue but a pathway to divine favor and exaltation. By humbling ourselves before the Lord, we open our hearts to His transformative power and allow Him to lift us up in ways beyond our understanding. Let us strive to embody humility in our daily lives, in our relationship with God, and in our interactions with others.
God bless you.
Prayer key :
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, grant us the grace to be humble before you in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, help us to love others with all humility in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.