Matthew 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
See:
MATTHEW 18:1-5;
MARK 9:30-37;
LUKE 9:46-48
It is interesting that Jesus used a little child to illustrate humility. Although it is true that little children have a purity and humility that is many times missing in adults, they certainly are not selfless. A child comes into the world totally self-centered, wanting what he wants when he wants it. Parents are to train children out of this self-centeredness.
One of humility's dominant characteristics is a God-dependency and not a self-sufficiency.
The truth of humility being the key to greatness or success was not new. Jesus gave this truth new meaning by walking in humility as no one ever had before.
This path of self-denial to greatness is exactly opposite to the world's path of exalting self at everyone else's expense. The path of humility could not possibly work if there was no God.
We would simply be trampled underfoot.
Humility is a step of faith - faith that God is the judge and that promotion comes from Him (Ps. 75:6-7 NKJV)
6 For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.
, and faith that God will resist the proud but give grace unto the humble
(1 Pet. 5:5-8 NKJV)
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [4]may the God of all grace, who called [5]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [6]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
.
Humility is trusting in God and not in ourselves. This is why it is easy to be humble when we've failed, and conversely, hard to be humble when we've achieved great success. This is precisely why Paul commanded Timothy not to put a novice into a position of leadership in the church.
Pride is self-sufficiency and self-exaltation while humility is self-denial and dependence upon God.
God's kingdom is founded upon this principle of humility before honor. God's kind of love is selfless as can be seen by Jesus' own actions.
Pride is the only reason that strife comes (Prov. 13:10); so remember, humility is the key to walking in love with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
AWMI.net
One of humility's dominant characteristics is a God-dependency and not a self-sufficiency.
The truth of humility being the key to greatness or success was not new. Jesus gave this truth new meaning by walking in humility as no one ever had before.
This path of self-denial to greatness is exactly opposite to the world's path of exalting self at everyone else's expense. The path of humility could not possibly work if there was no God.
We would simply be trampled underfoot.
Humility is a step of faith - faith that God is the judge and that promotion comes from Him (Ps. 75:6-7 NKJV)
6 For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
7 But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.
, and faith that God will resist the proud but give grace unto the humble
(1 Pet. 5:5-8 NKJV)
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
But gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be [1]sober, be [2]vigilant; [3]because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But [4]may the God of all grace, who called [5]us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [6]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
- 1 Peter 5:8 self-controlled
- 1 Peter 5:8 watchful
- 1 Peter 5:8 NU, M omit because
- 1 Peter 5:10 NU the God of all grace,
- 1 Peter 5:10 NU, M you
- 1 Peter 5:10 NU will perfect
.
Humility is trusting in God and not in ourselves. This is why it is easy to be humble when we've failed, and conversely, hard to be humble when we've achieved great success. This is precisely why Paul commanded Timothy not to put a novice into a position of leadership in the church.
Pride is self-sufficiency and self-exaltation while humility is self-denial and dependence upon God.
God's kingdom is founded upon this principle of humility before honor. God's kind of love is selfless as can be seen by Jesus' own actions.
Pride is the only reason that strife comes (Prov. 13:10); so remember, humility is the key to walking in love with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
AWMI.net
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