Tag Archives: humility

Christian humilty

 

Humility

 

Jesus is a great example of what humility looks like as He chose to humble Himself and suffer – deny His self-will and the temptations and demands from sin – instead of giving in to sin.

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. – 1 Peter 4:1  ESV

Part of being humble is coming to an understanding that we can use whatever spiritual gift that God has given us to serve others.

 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:10  ESV

Humility is the only way to joy in suffering and persecution.

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. – 1 Peter 4:13  ESV

It is in my humbly accepting suffering that draws me nearer to Christ but only if I am looking to Jesus as I suffer. There faith unites my suffering with Christ’s. There and then, because I see the results, I can rejoice.

I think that one of the costs of discipleship is loss of energy.

Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:11 ESV

When I think I cannot do any more, I must, like an athlete, learning the invaluable dynamic of serving in another’s strength by leaning on God, walking in faith, for there I find the energy I did not think I had.

Peter also tells to not be ashamed of being a Christian.

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. -1 Peter 4:16

It means that the word Christian did have some negative connotations back in his day. Even so, they were still proud of being called one.

As a side note – did you know the word ‘Christian’ only appears three times in the entire Bible (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16)?

The word ‘disciple’, (or disciples), appears over 250 times in the New Testament.

One of the most significant facts in the New Testament is that the name “disciple”  applied to Jesus’ followers throughout the Gospels and Acts and it absolutely disappears from the New Testament from Acts to Revelation! The apostle John used the expression “disciples” some 77 times in his gospel, but never once in the three short epistles that bear his name, nor in the book of Revelation.

 

 

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Loyalty

 

From Over Hill and Plain 

 

One thing we can all say about Ruth is that she was loyal and dedicated in following Naomi.

 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. – Ruth 1:16  ESV

Her example is the kind of loyalty that marks a good disciple of Jesus. It looks like a loyalty that will assume any risks – accepting whatever losses are called for and steadily committed to following.

Ruth’s trust in God was real and her response was an expression of faithfulness. She was turning her back on her people in Moab. She was going to stay with Naomi until death. She does not mention her god, but instead appeals to Yahweh. Makes me think of Jesus’ expression of a disciple – forsake all and if not, you cannot be my disciple.

Naomi does that – she says count the cost if you keep following me. Ruth persevered. She was not diligent one day and lazy the next. I am challenged in the same way to approach God every day. It is not the person who starts well that wins the race but the one that perseveres.

I love that God honours a gentle and quiet spirit displayed in genuine humility. I am taught once again to offer sacrificial service.  

Her trust may not have been well informed, but it was real. Simeon remarks, “Her views of religion might not be clear: but it is evident that a principle of vital godliness was rooted in her heart, and powerfully operative in her life. In fact, she acted in perfect conformity with that injunction that was afterwards given by our Lord, ‘Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple’. – Leon Morris

Paul must have struggled too, especially in the first few years following his transformation. After three years he plans a trip to Jerusalem hoping to see Peter but he needed Barnabas’ help just to get in. I think he saw his loyalty but others had not the chance to see it until later.

They have all fallen away;
    together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
    not even one. – Psalm 53:3

This Psalm is upsetting as it describes what happens when we are not loyal.  A good word for me to heed to today as I commit and persevere today in being loyal to following Jesus.

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