Are you growing in humility?

Karl Graustein in his book Growing Up Christian provides some characteristics of true humility–characteristics that are thoroughly Scriptural and incredibly practical.  They provide a a good heart check-up to help in obeying the call of God to humble ourselves under His mighty hand that He may lift us up!

• I am growing in humility if when. . .
• I am amazed that the infinite, holy, all-powerful God loves me and wants to have a relationship with me.
• I often think about how much greater God is than I am.
• I understand my weaknesses, and I am willing to talk about them with others.
• When I serve others, my primary goals are to bless them and honor God.
• I enjoy leading so I can serve others as I use my gifts.
• I enjoy following so I can assist the leader and serve others.
• I do not mind serving in private ways, even if I am never recognized or thanked.
• I often ask others for advice and listen.
• I regularly study the Bible for guidance and direction.
• I compare my life to the standards of God.

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Greater than our dreams

“Christ’s death changes death for all his people. When you die, you will not carry your sin and guilt into your death because he carried it into his death for you. If you are in Christ, you will never know what it is like to die a sin-bearing death.

When our sin reached its full horror, God’s love was displayed in all its glory. If you doubt God’s love for you, look at the cross. No other love can match this. Nothing else in our experience can come close. God’s love for us in Christ is greater than we ever dared to dream. “

— Colin S. SmithThe Plan(Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2011),  p.20

(HT: FI)

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The greatness of being last

The one who follows Jesus in the way of the cross must live a life of sacrifice, service and humility!

Learning to be humble is really at the heart of salvation and sanctification, our spiritual growth.  Without humility there can be no true repentance, no true faith, no true love, no true obedience, no true conformity to Christ.  Here are some verses that call us to more humility:

“Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. ” (Isaiah 66:1–2, ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ” (Micah 6:8, ESV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ” (Luke 14:11, ESV)

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” ” (Luke 18:14, ESV)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ” (Ephesians 4:1–2, ESV)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ” (Colossians 3:12, ESV)

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ” (James 4:6, ESV)

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. ” (James 4:10, ESV)

Lord, help us to walk humbly before You and in serving others today! Amen!

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