Saturday, February 16, 2008

Humility

Proverbs 16:19
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

There are certain Bible principles that are simply not understood in American Christianity today. Humility is such a premium character that it is far better to stay among the lowly than risk our humility with success.

We deceive ourselves when we believe we can have worldly spoils and stay humble in the same breath. It is true that men like Abraham, Moses, and David were powerful and successful in many ways; but they were also almost constantly in a state of humiliation. Paul was carried to great heights in visions with the Lord. He was used to plant multiple churches and turn the world upside down in his time. But God also gave him a thorn in the flesh to buffet him lest he become exalted above measure. And don't forget that he was:

  • Constantly under the attack of the Judaizers
  • Never really accepted by the Jewish believers of his day
  • Imprisoned, beaten, and left for dead
  • Spent a number of years in prison for his faith and
  • Finally executed along the Ostian Way

Humility may be the greatest of all the Christian qualities, but it is perhaps the most difficult to retain. As surely as the Lord would lift us up we would take pride in it.

I would rather remain among the lowly to gain and retain humility.

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