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The eight points of testing
2 Corinthians 2:12
"... thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ ..." (v.14)
Some of the characteristics of faithfulness are honesty, reliability and a deep concern for truth. Another characteristic is the quality of carrying through on all God's commands to us -- keeping faith to the end.
To help us come through the times of testing everyone has to face at some time, the Holy Spirit builds into us the ability to see things through to the end. One writer has listed the eight fiercest tests a Christian faces in this world in this order: (1) Humiliation -- a savage and plausible attack on our reputation. (2) Suffering -- physical, mental or spiritual. (3) Bereavement -- especially in relation to a loved one whose death was "untimely." (4) Estrangement or treachery from one's family and friends. (5) Doubt -- deep, dark and awful. (6) Failure -- the breaking up of one's life work. (7) Dereliction -- the sense of being forsaken by God. (8) A slow, painful and unillumined death.
Not all of us have all of them to meet, but meeting any one of them can be a strong and severe test. How does a Christian triumph in the midst of such fierce testings as are listed above? Any triumph we experience at such times is the triumph of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us, not just for the pleasure of inhabiting our beings, but to lead us to victory over all our problems. Perhaps you are being called to face one or more of these eight points of testing this very moment. Then take courage -- the Holy Spirit is with you and in you to take you through the fire and bring you out triumphant.
2 Corinthians 2:12
"... thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ ..." (v.14)
Some of the characteristics of faithfulness are honesty, reliability and a deep concern for truth. Another characteristic is the quality of carrying through on all God's commands to us -- keeping faith to the end.
To help us come through the times of testing everyone has to face at some time, the Holy Spirit builds into us the ability to see things through to the end. One writer has listed the eight fiercest tests a Christian faces in this world in this order: (1) Humiliation -- a savage and plausible attack on our reputation. (2) Suffering -- physical, mental or spiritual. (3) Bereavement -- especially in relation to a loved one whose death was "untimely." (4) Estrangement or treachery from one's family and friends. (5) Doubt -- deep, dark and awful. (6) Failure -- the breaking up of one's life work. (7) Dereliction -- the sense of being forsaken by God. (8) A slow, painful and unillumined death.
Not all of us have all of them to meet, but meeting any one of them can be a strong and severe test. How does a Christian triumph in the midst of such fierce testings as are listed above? Any triumph we experience at such times is the triumph of the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us, not just for the pleasure of inhabiting our beings, but to lead us to victory over all our problems. Perhaps you are being called to face one or more of these eight points of testing this very moment. Then take courage -- the Holy Spirit is with you and in you to take you through the fire and bring you out triumphant.
Faithfulness and perseverance
For reading & meditation -- Luke 8:4-15
"... those ... who hear the word ... and by perseverance produce a crop." (v.15)
Our text for today in Moffatt's translation reads: "As for the seed in the good soil, that means those who hear and hold fast the word in a good, sound heart, and so bear fruit steadfastly." Note -- "so bear fruit steadfastly" -- only the steadfast are finally fruitful.The minister of a large church, when asked what was the outstanding need of his congregation, said: "Faithfulness. Fifty per cent of church members are hangers-on, getting a free ride, contributing nothing from purse or person; twenty-five per cent promise to do something and then, after a few stabs at it, drop out. They lack fidelity.
The life of this church is carried on by the remaining twenty-five per cent." D. L. Moody, the great American preacher, said: "If we could get people who put their hand to the plow and never draw back no matter what the wind or weather, we would have a growing and powerful church."How many of us, I wonder, have loose ends, broken promises, half-fulfilled tasks cluttering up our lives? Whose fault is it? It cannot be the fault of the Holy Spirit, for He dwells in us to provide the power to see things through -- if we let Him. Success in this area of the Christian life, as in all areas, is letting go and letting God -- letting go of self-effort and surrendering to the power of the Spirit who is resident in us. As someone once put it -- the Christian life is not my responsibility, but my response to His ability. I tell you, never does the Holy Spirit appear more wonderful than when He appears in the fruit of faithfulness.
For reading & meditation -- Luke 8:4-15
"... those ... who hear the word ... and by perseverance produce a crop." (v.15)
Our text for today in Moffatt's translation reads: "As for the seed in the good soil, that means those who hear and hold fast the word in a good, sound heart, and so bear fruit steadfastly." Note -- "so bear fruit steadfastly" -- only the steadfast are finally fruitful.The minister of a large church, when asked what was the outstanding need of his congregation, said: "Faithfulness. Fifty per cent of church members are hangers-on, getting a free ride, contributing nothing from purse or person; twenty-five per cent promise to do something and then, after a few stabs at it, drop out. They lack fidelity.
The life of this church is carried on by the remaining twenty-five per cent." D. L. Moody, the great American preacher, said: "If we could get people who put their hand to the plow and never draw back no matter what the wind or weather, we would have a growing and powerful church."How many of us, I wonder, have loose ends, broken promises, half-fulfilled tasks cluttering up our lives? Whose fault is it? It cannot be the fault of the Holy Spirit, for He dwells in us to provide the power to see things through -- if we let Him. Success in this area of the Christian life, as in all areas, is letting go and letting God -- letting go of self-effort and surrendering to the power of the Spirit who is resident in us. As someone once put it -- the Christian life is not my responsibility, but my response to His ability. I tell you, never does the Holy Spirit appear more wonderful than when He appears in the fruit of faithfulness.
Thomas is in a lot of pain now, for rejecting the God of love, mercy, compassion, grace etc i.e the God of the Bible.
Christian Stewardship : Care of the Earth
“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
The earth, home to human beings and other living things, is under threat. Not from the aliens in science fiction, but from its own residents who use and abuse science and technology. They have exploited and polluted the earth to the extent that human and other forms of life are endangered.
Unfortunately Christianity has been blamed for the crisis. A major accusation is that Genesis 1:28 sanctioned human domination and exploitation of the earth and everything in it, thus inflicting irreparable damage to the ecosystem.
It is one thing to say that Christians have contributed to the ecological crisis. It is quite another to say that Christianity itself condones it. Does the Bible sanction human domination and exploitation of God’s creation? What does Genesis 1:28 really teach?
Genesis 1:26-28 is known as the Creation Mandate. It teaches that human beings are made in God’s image so that they have God-like qualities and abilities to fulfill their God-given purpose. This purpose is to form a global community in fellowship with God and thus build a global civilization consistent with His will. So they are to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it, as well as rule, or have dominion, over other living things. The words “subdue” and “dominion” have been read as implying “exploitation” and “domination”. This is reading the text out of context.
When the earth was created it was formless and empty. God then formed the earth so that it became habitable before partially filling it with living things. He also turned a small part of the earth into a “garden” so that it is most hospitable to human habitation, and called it Eden. The Creation Mandate was given when Adam and Eve were still in fellowship with God in Eden. Within Eden human responsibility to the earth was “to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15).
The commission to “subdue” the earth was in the context of filling, and thus inhabiting, the less hospitable earth outside of Eden. To “subdue” the earth would then mean making the rest of the earth hospitable like Eden and thereafter, “to work it and take care of it”. Hence the idea of exploiting the earth is not only foreign, but opposed, to the mandate.
And the word “dominion” need not imply “domination”. Human beings, made in God’s image, are to rule or have dominion the way God Himself would. When God decided to destroy the world through the flood, He instructed Noah to build an ark large enough not only to protect and preserve his own family but also the other living things that would have otherwise perished. Noah’s “dominion” over them involved protecting and preserving them! This was after sin had come into the world and had marred the God-like nature of human beings. So it is inconceivable that the mandate could imply “domination” over God’s creation.
Therefore the Creation Mandate involves human stewardship to care for God's creation. It is true that this ecological concern is not obvious in most of the Bible, especially the New Testament. But it should not be missed if the Bible is read properly. Genesis 1-11 spells out God’s purpose for the human race and how sin has derailed it. To put it back on track, human beings must first be redeemed from the effects of sin and the marred image of God be thus renewed (Col 3:10). The story of redemption begins in Genesis 12 and continues to the end of the Bible. But this story must be read in the light of Genesis 1-11 in order not to miss the complete picture.
Inasmuch as the goal of redemption is that we become renewed in God’s image, thus enabling us to fulfill the Creation Mandate, human stewardship of God’s creation is a concern throughout the Bible. And the fact that redemption affects not only human beings but also “the creation” (Rom 8:18-25), culminating in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21-22), also shows that the Bible never lost sight of the earth's welfare. Since redemption is in Christ, this stewardship has in this sense become a Christian stewardship.
To appreciate how caring for the earth is indeed a concern throughout the Bible, we will take a look at the Ten Commandments as a whole and then focus on the sabbath commandment.
The Ten Commandments, which functioned as the “constitution” of the nation of Israel, prescribes what a community in fellowship with God should be like. Motivated by the fear of God because of who He is (Deut 10:17-20), and by the love for God because of what He had done for them (Deut 10:21-11:1), Israel was to keep His commandments and thus form such a community. But Israel failed. Under the Mosaic Covenant they did not have what it takes to to fear and love God adequately.
But under the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:8-12), redemption in Christ involves transformation and empowerment through the Spirit to fear and love God and keep His commandments (Ezek 36:26-27; Rom 8:3-4). This enables the Church to form the kind of community Israel was supposed to be (1Pet 2:9; cf. Exod 19:5-6).
Most relevant to our theme is the sabbath commandment. This commandment affects the economic life and lifestyle of God’s people. On the sabbath day, not only human beings, but also the animals are to rest from work. And the spirit of this commandment was applied to the sabbatical year, when even the land was to rest (Lev 25:1-7). Therefore domination and exploitation of God's creation were prohibited. Faithful stewardship of the earth is clearly implied here.
The sabbath commandment has the goal of curbing economic greed. This is best seen when its application to the sabbatical year was extended to the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:8-28). On this year, agricultural land that was sold had to be returned to the original owner. When enforced, this law would have had the effect of helping God’s people observe the tenth commandment by overcoming the temptation to covet their neighbour’s land.
It is not a coincidence that the commandment that embodies stewardship of the earth has as its goal the curbing of economic greed. For it is not difficult to conclude from reports related to ecological degradation that at the root of the crisis is economic greed. This greed in its various forms is prevalent in every aspect of the economy: the production, promotion, distribution and especially the consumption of goods and services.
It is a tragedy that economic greed no longer feels wrong, even to religious people. This is mainly because the worldview that infuses and shapes the economy legitimizes greed. For scientific materialism, as it is known, affirms that everything in the universe is purely material. There is thus no spiritual reality, no God to be accountable to, and no eternal hope to look forward to. The Ten Commandments is then a primitive hoax kept alive by religious fanatics. This leads to economic materialism, the view that there is nothing better to live for except progress in material or economic terms.
The Creation Mandate presumes Genesis 1:1. This verse teaches that God created and hence owns everything in the universe. It implies that human beings are thus accountable to God to fulfill His purpose for them. It is a polemic against not only scientific materialism but also New Age pantheism, the view that everything in the universe is a manifestation of one impersonal God. So everything is God. It is this worship of the creation that puts New Agers at the forefront in protecting and preserving the earth and its ecosystem.
Christians worship the Creator instead. Because of their love for Him, they should also be concerned about the protection and preservation of the earth and its ecosystem. For we would take good care of the things that belong to someone we truly love. What more when, in the case of God, these things made by Him are not only beautiful in their pristine form but also designed to bear witness to Him and His glory (Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20).
It is beyond the scope of this exposition to consider what Christians could or should do. But they have already been redeemed. If they have consciously rejected economic materialism in their heart and have embodied the spirit of the sabbath commandment in their life and lifestyle, they are already part of the solution. The foundation would have been laid for a proactive participation in the care of the earth.
“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
The earth, home to human beings and other living things, is under threat. Not from the aliens in science fiction, but from its own residents who use and abuse science and technology. They have exploited and polluted the earth to the extent that human and other forms of life are endangered.
Unfortunately Christianity has been blamed for the crisis. A major accusation is that Genesis 1:28 sanctioned human domination and exploitation of the earth and everything in it, thus inflicting irreparable damage to the ecosystem.
It is one thing to say that Christians have contributed to the ecological crisis. It is quite another to say that Christianity itself condones it. Does the Bible sanction human domination and exploitation of God’s creation? What does Genesis 1:28 really teach?
Genesis 1:26-28 is known as the Creation Mandate. It teaches that human beings are made in God’s image so that they have God-like qualities and abilities to fulfill their God-given purpose. This purpose is to form a global community in fellowship with God and thus build a global civilization consistent with His will. So they are to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it, as well as rule, or have dominion, over other living things. The words “subdue” and “dominion” have been read as implying “exploitation” and “domination”. This is reading the text out of context.
When the earth was created it was formless and empty. God then formed the earth so that it became habitable before partially filling it with living things. He also turned a small part of the earth into a “garden” so that it is most hospitable to human habitation, and called it Eden. The Creation Mandate was given when Adam and Eve were still in fellowship with God in Eden. Within Eden human responsibility to the earth was “to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15).
The commission to “subdue” the earth was in the context of filling, and thus inhabiting, the less hospitable earth outside of Eden. To “subdue” the earth would then mean making the rest of the earth hospitable like Eden and thereafter, “to work it and take care of it”. Hence the idea of exploiting the earth is not only foreign, but opposed, to the mandate.
And the word “dominion” need not imply “domination”. Human beings, made in God’s image, are to rule or have dominion the way God Himself would. When God decided to destroy the world through the flood, He instructed Noah to build an ark large enough not only to protect and preserve his own family but also the other living things that would have otherwise perished. Noah’s “dominion” over them involved protecting and preserving them! This was after sin had come into the world and had marred the God-like nature of human beings. So it is inconceivable that the mandate could imply “domination” over God’s creation.
Therefore the Creation Mandate involves human stewardship to care for God's creation. It is true that this ecological concern is not obvious in most of the Bible, especially the New Testament. But it should not be missed if the Bible is read properly. Genesis 1-11 spells out God’s purpose for the human race and how sin has derailed it. To put it back on track, human beings must first be redeemed from the effects of sin and the marred image of God be thus renewed (Col 3:10). The story of redemption begins in Genesis 12 and continues to the end of the Bible. But this story must be read in the light of Genesis 1-11 in order not to miss the complete picture.
Inasmuch as the goal of redemption is that we become renewed in God’s image, thus enabling us to fulfill the Creation Mandate, human stewardship of God’s creation is a concern throughout the Bible. And the fact that redemption affects not only human beings but also “the creation” (Rom 8:18-25), culminating in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21-22), also shows that the Bible never lost sight of the earth's welfare. Since redemption is in Christ, this stewardship has in this sense become a Christian stewardship.
To appreciate how caring for the earth is indeed a concern throughout the Bible, we will take a look at the Ten Commandments as a whole and then focus on the sabbath commandment.
The Ten Commandments, which functioned as the “constitution” of the nation of Israel, prescribes what a community in fellowship with God should be like. Motivated by the fear of God because of who He is (Deut 10:17-20), and by the love for God because of what He had done for them (Deut 10:21-11:1), Israel was to keep His commandments and thus form such a community. But Israel failed. Under the Mosaic Covenant they did not have what it takes to to fear and love God adequately.
But under the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:8-12), redemption in Christ involves transformation and empowerment through the Spirit to fear and love God and keep His commandments (Ezek 36:26-27; Rom 8:3-4). This enables the Church to form the kind of community Israel was supposed to be (1Pet 2:9; cf. Exod 19:5-6).
Most relevant to our theme is the sabbath commandment. This commandment affects the economic life and lifestyle of God’s people. On the sabbath day, not only human beings, but also the animals are to rest from work. And the spirit of this commandment was applied to the sabbatical year, when even the land was to rest (Lev 25:1-7). Therefore domination and exploitation of God's creation were prohibited. Faithful stewardship of the earth is clearly implied here.
The sabbath commandment has the goal of curbing economic greed. This is best seen when its application to the sabbatical year was extended to the year of Jubilee (Lev 25:8-28). On this year, agricultural land that was sold had to be returned to the original owner. When enforced, this law would have had the effect of helping God’s people observe the tenth commandment by overcoming the temptation to covet their neighbour’s land.
It is not a coincidence that the commandment that embodies stewardship of the earth has as its goal the curbing of economic greed. For it is not difficult to conclude from reports related to ecological degradation that at the root of the crisis is economic greed. This greed in its various forms is prevalent in every aspect of the economy: the production, promotion, distribution and especially the consumption of goods and services.
It is a tragedy that economic greed no longer feels wrong, even to religious people. This is mainly because the worldview that infuses and shapes the economy legitimizes greed. For scientific materialism, as it is known, affirms that everything in the universe is purely material. There is thus no spiritual reality, no God to be accountable to, and no eternal hope to look forward to. The Ten Commandments is then a primitive hoax kept alive by religious fanatics. This leads to economic materialism, the view that there is nothing better to live for except progress in material or economic terms.
The Creation Mandate presumes Genesis 1:1. This verse teaches that God created and hence owns everything in the universe. It implies that human beings are thus accountable to God to fulfill His purpose for them. It is a polemic against not only scientific materialism but also New Age pantheism, the view that everything in the universe is a manifestation of one impersonal God. So everything is God. It is this worship of the creation that puts New Agers at the forefront in protecting and preserving the earth and its ecosystem.
Christians worship the Creator instead. Because of their love for Him, they should also be concerned about the protection and preservation of the earth and its ecosystem. For we would take good care of the things that belong to someone we truly love. What more when, in the case of God, these things made by Him are not only beautiful in their pristine form but also designed to bear witness to Him and His glory (Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20).
It is beyond the scope of this exposition to consider what Christians could or should do. But they have already been redeemed. If they have consciously rejected economic materialism in their heart and have embodied the spirit of the sabbath commandment in their life and lifestyle, they are already part of the solution. The foundation would have been laid for a proactive participation in the care of the earth.
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"A virtue not greatly praised"
Matthew 11:20-30
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart ..." (v.29, NKJV)
We come now to the eighth fruit of the Spirit -- meekness or gentleness. The original Greek word, prautes, is translated in various ways in different translations of the New Testament. One version uses the word "tolerance," another "forbearance" and another "adaptability."The original Greek word has no exact synonym in English and after examining the various words used in the different translations of Galatians 5:22, my personal opinion is that the Good News Bible gets closest to it when it uses the word "humility." The words humility" and "meekness" are often seen together in the New Testament, as for example, in our text for today: "I am meek and lowly in heart." (Other examples are Eph. 4:2 and Col. 3:12.)The Christian in whom the Spirit dwells is a person who is meek, gentle and humble. It has been said that apart from love, nothing is more characteristic of a Christian, and nothing more caricatured and misunderstood than humility.
The world has never had much time for humility. "Throughout time," says one writer, "it is a virtue that has not been greatly praised -- except by a few."To understand humility calls for a piercing spiritual perception which is given only to those who know God. A lady came up to me at the end of a Bible study I had given on humility and said: "I do love to hear a preacher expound on the subject of humility. You see, it is one of the greatest qualities, and I want to know as much as I can about it." I felt that somehow, in seeking to walk the path of humility, she had lost her way.
Matthew 11:20-30
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart ..." (v.29, NKJV)
We come now to the eighth fruit of the Spirit -- meekness or gentleness. The original Greek word, prautes, is translated in various ways in different translations of the New Testament. One version uses the word "tolerance," another "forbearance" and another "adaptability."The original Greek word has no exact synonym in English and after examining the various words used in the different translations of Galatians 5:22, my personal opinion is that the Good News Bible gets closest to it when it uses the word "humility." The words humility" and "meekness" are often seen together in the New Testament, as for example, in our text for today: "I am meek and lowly in heart." (Other examples are Eph. 4:2 and Col. 3:12.)The Christian in whom the Spirit dwells is a person who is meek, gentle and humble. It has been said that apart from love, nothing is more characteristic of a Christian, and nothing more caricatured and misunderstood than humility.
The world has never had much time for humility. "Throughout time," says one writer, "it is a virtue that has not been greatly praised -- except by a few."To understand humility calls for a piercing spiritual perception which is given only to those who know God. A lady came up to me at the end of a Bible study I had given on humility and said: "I do love to hear a preacher expound on the subject of humility. You see, it is one of the greatest qualities, and I want to know as much as I can about it." I felt that somehow, in seeking to walk the path of humility, she had lost her way.
It depends on which religion you are talking about. For example, Heaven's Gate religion will make you a dead person.
Self-effacement -- to gain face
Philippians 2
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (v.5)
We said yesterday that humility has not been praised -- except by a few -- in any age. Ancient writers regarded the quality of humility as a "servile, grovelling spirit." People today seem to view it in the same way and place it alongside the cringing spirit of Uriah Heep -- "I am so very 'umble, Master Copperfield." Perhaps it was this confusion that led to Gladstone, one of Britain's past Prime Ministers, to say: "Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity." In choosing "humility" as the best translation of the Greek word used in the list of the fruit of the Spirit, we must be careful not to miss the thought that is contained in some of the other words used by translators, such as gentleness, meekness, forbearance, adaptability and tolerance. Threading them all together, we have a picture of this fruit of the Spirit as a gentle spirit of lowliness and humility with no arrogance but a joyous desire to serve.
Humility is not only misunderstood by the world; it is also largely misunderstood by the Christian Church. Some confuse it, for example, with self-belittlement. They think that by denigrating themselves or putting themselves down they are acting in humility. But by deliberately setting out to make themselves small, they are really trying to make themselves great. Self-effacement is their way of gaining face. They take the lowest place in order to be invited to go up higher. They express derogatory opinions of themselves in the hope that they will be contradicted. This is not real humility -- this is feigned humility: an unworthy substitute.
Philippians 2
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (v.5)
We said yesterday that humility has not been praised -- except by a few -- in any age. Ancient writers regarded the quality of humility as a "servile, grovelling spirit." People today seem to view it in the same way and place it alongside the cringing spirit of Uriah Heep -- "I am so very 'umble, Master Copperfield." Perhaps it was this confusion that led to Gladstone, one of Britain's past Prime Ministers, to say: "Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity." In choosing "humility" as the best translation of the Greek word used in the list of the fruit of the Spirit, we must be careful not to miss the thought that is contained in some of the other words used by translators, such as gentleness, meekness, forbearance, adaptability and tolerance. Threading them all together, we have a picture of this fruit of the Spirit as a gentle spirit of lowliness and humility with no arrogance but a joyous desire to serve.
Humility is not only misunderstood by the world; it is also largely misunderstood by the Christian Church. Some confuse it, for example, with self-belittlement. They think that by denigrating themselves or putting themselves down they are acting in humility. But by deliberately setting out to make themselves small, they are really trying to make themselves great. Self-effacement is their way of gaining face. They take the lowest place in order to be invited to go up higher. They express derogatory opinions of themselves in the hope that they will be contradicted. This is not real humility -- this is feigned humility: an unworthy substitute.
The small dare not be humble
John 13
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power ... began to wash the disciples' feet ..." (vv.3-5)
Humility is not a cringing, servile attitude -- although, sadly, many Christians seem to view it in this way. Philip Brooks, a great American preacher, once said: "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is. Stand at your highest, and then look at Christ, then go away and forever be humble."The truly humble are conscious of greatness before they are conscious of humility.
The passage before us today says: "Jesus, with the full knowledge that the Father had put everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper-table, took off his outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round his waist ... and began to wash the disciples' feet" (John 13:3?5, J.B. Phillips). The consciousness of greatness was the secret of our Lord's humility. The small dare not be humble. But Jesus' greatness was rooted in God. Being in God made Him great -- and humble. Great because humble -- humble because great.
A Hindu said to a missionary: "I used to believe in idols but now I don't believe in them at all. I am coming round to believe that I myself am a god." He gave up his idols and made one of himself! When we lose our perspective on God, we lose our perspective on humility. It is as simple as that: no true vision of God -- no true vision of humility.
John 13
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power ... began to wash the disciples' feet ..." (vv.3-5)
Humility is not a cringing, servile attitude -- although, sadly, many Christians seem to view it in this way. Philip Brooks, a great American preacher, once said: "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is. Stand at your highest, and then look at Christ, then go away and forever be humble."The truly humble are conscious of greatness before they are conscious of humility.
The passage before us today says: "Jesus, with the full knowledge that the Father had put everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper-table, took off his outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round his waist ... and began to wash the disciples' feet" (John 13:3?5, J.B. Phillips). The consciousness of greatness was the secret of our Lord's humility. The small dare not be humble. But Jesus' greatness was rooted in God. Being in God made Him great -- and humble. Great because humble -- humble because great.
A Hindu said to a missionary: "I used to believe in idols but now I don't believe in them at all. I am coming round to believe that I myself am a god." He gave up his idols and made one of himself! When we lose our perspective on God, we lose our perspective on humility. It is as simple as that: no true vision of God -- no true vision of humility.
A sane view of oneself
Romans 12
"... Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment ..." (v.3)
We continue trying to clear up the misunderstandings that surround the word "humility."
Humility has often been confused with that sad state which we describe as an "inferiority complex." But however much humility and an inferiority complex resemble each other -- and one has to admit that superficially they do look alike -- humility is deeply different.
Humility is not the result of being badly mishandled in childhood, nor is it a nervous illness. Neither is it derived from a foolish comparison with other people. Humility is a true and absorbing view of oneself seen from God's point of view. Paul urges us in our passage today not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, "but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (v.3, NKJV).
These verses are sometimes interpreted as meaning that we should have a low opinion of ourselves, but look again at what the apostle is saying: "... not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly." We should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but by the same token, we should not think of ourselves more lowly than we ought. We must have a sane and balanced estimate of ourselves -- one that is not too high and not too low. Humility, as we said yesterday, flows from a correct viewof God, but it also flows from a correct view of ourselves. These two facts need overhauling and emphasizing in today's Church, for I am convinced that a large percentage of Christians have neither a correct view of God nor a correct view of themselves.
Romans 12
"... Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment ..." (v.3)
We continue trying to clear up the misunderstandings that surround the word "humility."
Humility has often been confused with that sad state which we describe as an "inferiority complex." But however much humility and an inferiority complex resemble each other -- and one has to admit that superficially they do look alike -- humility is deeply different.
Humility is not the result of being badly mishandled in childhood, nor is it a nervous illness. Neither is it derived from a foolish comparison with other people. Humility is a true and absorbing view of oneself seen from God's point of view. Paul urges us in our passage today not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, "but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (v.3, NKJV).
These verses are sometimes interpreted as meaning that we should have a low opinion of ourselves, but look again at what the apostle is saying: "... not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly." We should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but by the same token, we should not think of ourselves more lowly than we ought. We must have a sane and balanced estimate of ourselves -- one that is not too high and not too low. Humility, as we said yesterday, flows from a correct viewof God, but it also flows from a correct view of ourselves. These two facts need overhauling and emphasizing in today's Church, for I am convinced that a large percentage of Christians have neither a correct view of God nor a correct view of themselves.
Humility is a teachable spirit
James 1:17-27
"... and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (v.21)
Some Christians confuse humility with lack of ambition, but here, too, they are mistaken. The Christian in whom the "harvest of the Spirit" is being reaped may lack worldly ambition, but in the spiritual area of life, he is the most ambitious person alive. Titles,honors, distinctions, money ... his heart is not set on them but on God. If these things are placed in his hands, they are seen as a trust; they are not, however, the things that he deeply covets. For the true Christian, life comes to fulfilment, not in things but in God.
Having spent a few days focusing on what humility is not, it is time now to focus on what it is. "Humility," says William Barclay, "is a gentle, gracious and submissive spirit." He suggests that in order properly to understand humility, we need to look at five significant passages of Scripture. When we have looked at all five, we shall then get a composite picture of this beautiful virtue which the Holy Spirit seeks to bring to fruition in our lives.
The first is James 1:21: "Humbly accept the message that God has planted in your hearts, and which can save your souls" (J. B. Phillips). Humility is a teachable spirit -- an attitude that recognizes one's own ignorance and a humble acceptance of the fact that without God's help, one cannot understand the depths or profundities of truth. Every Christian who has a good understanding of Scripturewill, to some degree, be humble, for those who approach the Bible with a proud and know-all attitude will find it will shut like a clam and reveal nothing to them.
James 1:17-27
"... and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (v.21)
Some Christians confuse humility with lack of ambition, but here, too, they are mistaken. The Christian in whom the "harvest of the Spirit" is being reaped may lack worldly ambition, but in the spiritual area of life, he is the most ambitious person alive. Titles,honors, distinctions, money ... his heart is not set on them but on God. If these things are placed in his hands, they are seen as a trust; they are not, however, the things that he deeply covets. For the true Christian, life comes to fulfilment, not in things but in God.
Having spent a few days focusing on what humility is not, it is time now to focus on what it is. "Humility," says William Barclay, "is a gentle, gracious and submissive spirit." He suggests that in order properly to understand humility, we need to look at five significant passages of Scripture. When we have looked at all five, we shall then get a composite picture of this beautiful virtue which the Holy Spirit seeks to bring to fruition in our lives.
The first is James 1:21: "Humbly accept the message that God has planted in your hearts, and which can save your souls" (J. B. Phillips). Humility is a teachable spirit -- an attitude that recognizes one's own ignorance and a humble acceptance of the fact that without God's help, one cannot understand the depths or profundities of truth. Every Christian who has a good understanding of Scripturewill, to some degree, be humble, for those who approach the Bible with a proud and know-all attitude will find it will shut like a clam and reveal nothing to them.
The Lord is my Programmer.
The Lord is my Programmer;
I shall not crash
He installed His software on the
Hard disk of my heart;
All of his commands are user friendly.
His directory guides me to the right choices
For His name's sake.
Even though I scroll through the problems of life,
I will fear no bugs,
For He is in my backup.
His password protects me.
He prepares a menu for me
In the presence of my enemies,
His help is only a keystroke away,
Surely goodness and mercy
Will follow me all the days of my life,
The Lord is my Programmer;
I shall not crash
He installed His software on the
Hard disk of my heart;
All of his commands are user friendly.
His directory guides me to the right choices
For His name's sake.
Even though I scroll through the problems of life,
I will fear no bugs,
For He is in my backup.
His password protects me.
He prepares a menu for me
In the presence of my enemies,
His help is only a keystroke away,
Surely goodness and mercy
Will follow me all the days of my life,
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The drawing power of humility
Proverbs 18
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor" (v.12)
In 1 Peter 3:15 we read: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you ... But do this with gentleness and respect." Real Christian witness always has a gracious gentleness about it which is far more effective than the aggressive approach which tries to ram the Gospel down people's throats. As someone has put it: "To win some you must be winsome."A final text we explore is James 3:13 -- "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." The real ornament of life which is precious in the sight of God is a meek and quiet spirit.
Those who think they are not gifted by temperament to relate to people in this way need not despair. The Spirit who dwells in you will, if you allow Him, transform your temperament into the image of Christ.
Paul's spiritual progress may be measured by the fact that in 1 Corinthians 15:9, he says: "I am the least of the apostles," and writing later to the Ephesians (3:8), he says he is less than the least -- not now of the apostles -- but "of all God's people."
Still later, when writing to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:15), he says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- "of whom I am the worst." Oh, the wonder of humility. God said through Isaiah: "I dwell ... with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (57:15, NKJV). James said, "God resists the proud" -- He repels their advances. The haughty He knows only from afar: it is the humble whom the Almighty respects.
Proverbs 18
"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor" (v.12)
In 1 Peter 3:15 we read: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you ... But do this with gentleness and respect." Real Christian witness always has a gracious gentleness about it which is far more effective than the aggressive approach which tries to ram the Gospel down people's throats. As someone has put it: "To win some you must be winsome."A final text we explore is James 3:13 -- "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." The real ornament of life which is precious in the sight of God is a meek and quiet spirit.
Those who think they are not gifted by temperament to relate to people in this way need not despair. The Spirit who dwells in you will, if you allow Him, transform your temperament into the image of Christ.
Paul's spiritual progress may be measured by the fact that in 1 Corinthians 15:9, he says: "I am the least of the apostles," and writing later to the Ephesians (3:8), he says he is less than the least -- not now of the apostles -- but "of all God's people."
Still later, when writing to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:15), he says that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- "of whom I am the worst." Oh, the wonder of humility. God said through Isaiah: "I dwell ... with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (57:15, NKJV). James said, "God resists the proud" -- He repels their advances. The haughty He knows only from afar: it is the humble whom the Almighty respects.
Christ-control
PProverbs 16:20-44
"Better ... a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."(v.32)
We come now to the last of the nine fruits of the Spirit -- self-control.
The King James Version uses the word "temperance" but in most translations the Greek word (enkrateia) is rendered as self-control. Underlying the word is the idea of self-restraint, a fine mastery of one's personality, a controlled and disciplined nature. It is noteworthy that Paul puts self-control last.
Most systems of thought, both ancient and modern, would put it first. Consider the various philosophies that have fascinated man over past centuries, and what do you find? They all seek to produce a happy and contented person through self-control. Some advocate thought control, some breath control, others will-control.
The Christian way is different -- it produces happy and contented people, not primarily by thought control or even will-control, but by Christ-control. The Christian is a self-controlled person, but he becomes that, not by self-effort alone but by the gracious supply of the Holy Spirit who indwells him. You do not gain God, Christ or the Holy Spirit through self-control: you gain self-control through God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.
You see, if you begin with self-control, then you are the center -- you are controlling yourself. But if you begin, as Paul does, with love, then the spring of action is outgoing and you are released from yourself and from self-preoccupation. When you begin with love, you end with self-control. But it is not a nervous, anxious, tied-up self-control; it is a control that is natural and unstrained -- hence beautiful.
PProverbs 16:20-44
"Better ... a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."(v.32)
We come now to the last of the nine fruits of the Spirit -- self-control.
The King James Version uses the word "temperance" but in most translations the Greek word (enkrateia) is rendered as self-control. Underlying the word is the idea of self-restraint, a fine mastery of one's personality, a controlled and disciplined nature. It is noteworthy that Paul puts self-control last.
Most systems of thought, both ancient and modern, would put it first. Consider the various philosophies that have fascinated man over past centuries, and what do you find? They all seek to produce a happy and contented person through self-control. Some advocate thought control, some breath control, others will-control.
The Christian way is different -- it produces happy and contented people, not primarily by thought control or even will-control, but by Christ-control. The Christian is a self-controlled person, but he becomes that, not by self-effort alone but by the gracious supply of the Holy Spirit who indwells him. You do not gain God, Christ or the Holy Spirit through self-control: you gain self-control through God, Christ and the Holy Spirit.
You see, if you begin with self-control, then you are the center -- you are controlling yourself. But if you begin, as Paul does, with love, then the spring of action is outgoing and you are released from yourself and from self-preoccupation. When you begin with love, you end with self-control. But it is not a nervous, anxious, tied-up self-control; it is a control that is natural and unstrained -- hence beautiful.
Choose your "cause"
Matthew 6:24-34
"... seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (v.33, NKJV)
Some people attempt to come into the Christian life at the level of self-control rather than at the level of love, and quickly discover that it does not work. I tried to come into Christianity this way.
There was a time in my teens when I was greatly attracted to Christianity, but not willing to make the full surrender which it so clearly demands. Every day I would start out with the thought and purpose that I would do everything in my power to keep myself from sin -- and every night I fell into bed feeling a failure. How could a diseased will heal a diseased soul?Then I surrendered my life to Christ and something wonderful happened -- His love flowed into my heart and as I began to love Him, all lesser loves soon dropped away.
A university professor, writing on the subject of loyalty, says an interesting thing: "There is only one way to be an ethical individual and that is to choose your cause and then to serve it. This central loyalty to a cause puts other loyalties in their place as subordinate. Then life as a whole is coordinated because all lesser loyalties are subordinated."Translate his thinking into New Testament language and you find an interesting similarity. The "cause" we choose is Christ and His Kingdom, and when we seek them first, then all other things, including self-control, are added to us. This does not mean, of course, that once we become Christians we automatically become people of supreme self-control. We have the potential for that, but it becomes a reality only as we continually surrender and submit to Christ's control.
Matthew 6:24-34
"... seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (v.33, NKJV)
Some people attempt to come into the Christian life at the level of self-control rather than at the level of love, and quickly discover that it does not work. I tried to come into Christianity this way.
There was a time in my teens when I was greatly attracted to Christianity, but not willing to make the full surrender which it so clearly demands. Every day I would start out with the thought and purpose that I would do everything in my power to keep myself from sin -- and every night I fell into bed feeling a failure. How could a diseased will heal a diseased soul?Then I surrendered my life to Christ and something wonderful happened -- His love flowed into my heart and as I began to love Him, all lesser loves soon dropped away.
A university professor, writing on the subject of loyalty, says an interesting thing: "There is only one way to be an ethical individual and that is to choose your cause and then to serve it. This central loyalty to a cause puts other loyalties in their place as subordinate. Then life as a whole is coordinated because all lesser loyalties are subordinated."Translate his thinking into New Testament language and you find an interesting similarity. The "cause" we choose is Christ and His Kingdom, and when we seek them first, then all other things, including self-control, are added to us. This does not mean, of course, that once we become Christians we automatically become people of supreme self-control. We have the potential for that, but it becomes a reality only as we continually surrender and submit to Christ's control.
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