Humility is a divine character. In humility we acknowledge or appeal to a person or an authority. It shows regard, respect, recognition or acceptance. Humility appreciates the dignity of man who was created in God’s image. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Jesus is recommending to us the necessity to embrace or subscribe to humility because he knows the benefits.
The bible justifies the relevance of humility and this is what Jesus respected. What is the relevance of humility based on scripture or the word of God?
Allows for deliverance
2 Samuel 22:28 says that thou dost deliver a humble people, but thy eyes are upon the haughty to bring them down. Psalms 25:9 also says he leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Isaiah 57:15 says that God dwells with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 66:2 says that but this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Allows answers to prayer
Job 22:23-28 says that if you return to the Almighty and humble yourself, if you remove unrighteousness far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent bed, and if the Almighty is your gold, and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you; and you will pay your vows. You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. We can access God’s answers and favours only upon an honest humility to Jesus Christ.
Avails wisdom from God
God also gives wisdom to the humble so Jesus was wise. James 1:5 says if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. Wisdom requires humility to learn from the wise. The wise men came in humility with affirmation to visit Jesus as the source of wisdom when Jesus was born, Matthew 2:9-11.
Luke 2:40 says the child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2:52 also says that and Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. Jesus in humility sat in the temple to listen to the teachers, Mark 1:36-37; Luke 2:46. Are we humble to learn wisdom from others lower than our perceived statute as Christ Jesus did?
Shows readiness to obey God
Humility is good virtue because 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. To seek God’s face we must be humble. To turn away from our wicked ways we must be humble to God’s instructions. To pray we must be humble. To be called people of God, we must be humble. To receive from God, we must be humble. To hear from God, we must be humble. To walk with God, we must be humble. We must be humble in all things.
Mark of discipline
1 Peter 5:5 says the younger should be subject to the elder. This is a caution against indiscipline before God. From scripture John the Baptist though elder to Jesus Christ yet humbled himself and asked Jesus to baptize him. However in equal humility, Jesus also recognized John’s mission and submitted to be baptized by John. Jesus submitted to John’s baptism though he was higher in spirit than John.
Their mutual humility fulfilled the scripture of which we are beneficiaries today. How can generations after us benefit from our legacy of humility? Both were subject to the Holy Spirit. Do we submit to the Holy Spirit in decisions that could affect our lives as well as others, even the unborn? Let us think about it?
Opposes selfishness or greed
Philippians 2:3 says that do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. God hates selfishness or greed or spirit of indifference or arrogance or pride. We cannot be humble with an attitude of selfishness or pride. Jesus exemplified this principle and so he was able to impart the same to his disciples who taught and practiced it with distinction. Proverbs 11:2 says when pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom.
Are we wise enough to avoid disgrace? Does our character or thoughts or wishes conflict with scripture or reflect scripture? If we truly want Jesus to be our personal savior in order to avoid irreversible death in eternity, then let us be humble enough to accept Jesus as the Messiah and give him a chance to save us. He is waiting with open arms. There will be no more opportunities after life and we do not know when we will be called home. Let us be ready now that we have breathed.
Recognized in heaven
Jesus’ teachings were pivoted on humility because we cannot enter the kingdom of God without humility. Humility enables us to accept scripture or the word of God which sometimes defies human wisdom, logic or comprehension yet full of wisdom and truth in divine knowledge. Jesus said in Matthew 18:4 that whoever humbles himself like a child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus taught about humility in Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11 that whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Will we be humbled or elevated when Christ comes?
Prophecy of Jesus’ humility
Humility comes from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 21:5 referring to Zachariah 9:9 says that tell the daughter of Zion, behold your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foul of an ass. It was expected that a king would arrogantly ride on a horse or in a chariot but Jesus was different in order to fulfill prophecy.
Zachariah 9:9 says that rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass. Though Jesus’ kingdom was bigger than all kingdoms on earth combined, he was still humble from birth. Without humility, Jesus could not have been triumphant or victorious. Jesus was a humble and wise king from whom we should take a cue. What is God’s prophecy about us?
Prayer
Our gracious Lord and master Jesus Christ, we pray that you should touch our lives with your humility and through that take the center stage of our lives. Grant us the grace to be humble with a contrite heart and forgive us of haughtiness and pride. In your blood redeem us in your holy name, Amen!!
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