In Part 1, we learned that the greatest trait a Christian can have is the Fear of the Lord. Not a shaking, trembling fear, but a fear a child has toward a loving father concerning the child’s obedience to his father.
In Part 2, we will look at a second trait heavily emphasized in the Bible. The second trait every Christian should strive for is humility. Yes, I said strive, because our sin nature desires to exalt itself with prideful thoughts. We desire to “lift” ourselves up, and take credit for what we accomplish. James 4:10 states – Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE will lift you up. Not we, but HE (God). Our humility before God and man is key in every aspect of our lives.
How does God react to us when pride is in our lives? Job 40:12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. Psalm 101:5b him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. I could go on and on with Bible passages about how God despises pride.
No matter how rich, how powerful, or how influential we are, we owe it all to God. We would have no wealth, no power, and no influence without God giving them to us in the first place. As an example of pride versus humility, let’s look at how a humble person and a prideful person would react, when each sees a homeless person on the streets.
Whenever you see a homeless person on the street, do you think, “What a loser! He or she should get a job.” Or, do you think “but by the grace of God, so go I.” If you think the homeless person is a loser that should have been more like you, then you are controlled by pride. You are thinking that your position in life is because you made the right decisions in your life. You fail to recognize that without God and His protection over your life, you could be a homeless person. Now if you think “but by the grace of God, so go I,” then you are thinking humbly. By thinking humbly and giving God the credit for how your life turned out, you are more likely to feel sympathy for the homeless person. When you can sympathize with a person in need, then Godly action can occur to meet the needs of those that most need your help.
(One note: This is NOT an expose on homelessness, but only an example to show the attitude of the heart. Not every homeless person is in such a state because of their decisions. Job became homeless via no fault of his own, but because God was testing his faith. I know people are going to say “the homeless person made bad decisions in their life, and are reaping the Just reward of what they sowed”. That may or may not be; only God knows for sure. God is the ONLY judge of why a person is in the state of life they are in. He does not call the Christian to judge, but to be a witness and testimony for Him. Besides, where would any of us be in life, if God gave us exactly what we deserve? I tremble at the thought of God giving me what I deserve, and rejoice at the grace He has shown me.)
In the end, our humility gives credit to God for who we are, and what we have. Humility says I would be the lowest of the low, without God. In contrast, pride says we are who we are because we made good decisions. We did it all, with God watching and approving from the sidelines. Humility gives us a desire to help others, because we earnestly believe that we could easily be in their “shoes”. Pride tells us to walk away, and let the needy help themselves, like we have helped ourselves.
Joel Bouriaque
Deception of Magic, Available at http://www.amazon.co.../dp/0615549020/
