Why is being “humble” such a prize that one would be exalted by God ?

Humility

Why is being “humble” such a prize that one would be exalted by God ? 

     As we go forward being driven by the things of the "world" humility becomes a challenge, if it is desired at all. Things of the world become the standard for living and being prideful is the manifestation of that tragedy. In essence this is the reason that becoming prideful and being driven by worldly values actually drives a wedge between us and God. In this sense the very thing that drives and motivates us becomes not of God, as the world has become your yardstick for living. Christ did not come here, to live and die an excruciating death for us to cast aside his example and embrace the trappings and demands of this world as a road map for our lives.

Yes humility actually comes to that.. It penetrates this deep. The lack of humility is an indication that we may not be living for God.

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... 

Luke 14:11 ESV

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The greatest reward with be in heaven….

What exactly is humility.. Is it having low self-esteem or self-regard?

Is it the act of behaving as if you were manure under other people’s feet? And liking it??? 

 

Before we identify the humble among us this way and secretly think that we just couldn’t function this way because its tantamount to accepting abuse, Ask yourself what did Jesus do? Jesus was not a wall flower to be pushed around. He was daring and brave. He was steadfast in his purpose. He was a man of action and conviction.. Not passive; and he was unashamed.

Yet Jesus washing the feet of the disciples (John 13:1–17) occurring in the upper room, during the Last Supper has significance in three ways. 

First and foremost, for Jesus, it was the display of His humility and His servant-hood. 

For the disciples, the washing of their feet was in direct contrast to their heart attitudes at that time. For us, washing feet is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.

When Jesus rose from the table and began to wash the feet of the disciples (John 13:4), He was doing the work of the lowliest of servants of his time. 

The disciples must have been stunned at this act of humility and condescension, that Christ, their Lord and master, should wash the feet of His disciples, when it was their proper work to have washed His. 

But when Jesus came to earth, He came not as King and Conqueror, but to be as a suffering Servant. He was born of humility, in a sense. As He revealed in Matthew 20:28, He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The humility expressed by His act with towel and basin foreshadowed His ultimate act of humility and love on the cross.

A Thankful Heart Emanates From Humility

When we learn to be thankful, people appreciate us more, and most importantly God is glorified in our lives.

Humility is the greatest quality God will honour. Humility was the only reason Jesus humbled Himself (who is God), took the form of a servant, and died for us on that infamous cross. Humility is rich and attractive. It draws people to you if you are humble, and don't exalt yourself. 

Have you observed people shunning those who are arrogant, even in a natural sense? We have no logical reason not to be humble; Our possessions and status mean little as we don’t own anything in this life!

Everything we have is loaned to us by God

Our life, talents, money, fortune, beauty

Intellectual acumen, political savvy, scientific and

High-tech Knowledge, corporate power, etc.

Whatever exalts your ego or self esteem…

Everything we have is loaned to us by God and in a blink of an eye , these things can be taken away from us by God who gave them to us in the first place..

So we must not think or assume we are something we are not, or that we are above others, or that there is no God. We must learn to be grateful and thankful, and use our assets or talents or money to glorify God who gave them to us to begin with.

So as Peter said…. Peter 5:6 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…….

The more we are “blessed” with, in this world, the harder the struggle to remain thankful and humble.. 

For myself I ask God for the strength to remain as Jesus demonstrated for us; a humble servant in the Lord…

God bless our bible study and all here who struggle..

Protect us and guide us as we study your word and open our eyes so that we may live in a way that would please you.

We ask these things in Jesus’s name…

Amen