“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12
I’m good at abounding but not so much with abasement. Why does God allow abasement? It means “to humble,” which conjures up thoughts of pain, so this is why most folks don’t get content with it. Yes, pain we cringe at, but humility itself brings something special. Paul became content since humility brings self-satisfying; it brings us closer to God .
“The perfect meekness that comes from self-humbling brings with it an all-embracing concentration on the goodness and love of God.”
“None of the acts of God, whether in creation or redemption, are God Himself, for what is wanted now is that no medium should stand between He who is all, and the soul which is nothing. google.com/books Dominican Gallery: Portrait of a Culture
These quotes bring out the mystical nature of the Christian life, the freshness, the anointed life, The Holy Spirit’s various ministries.
Oswald Chambers reminds us that we are not married to a book of concepts, but to a life.
Billy Graham gives ways for self-humbling. Some of them are:
- Routinely confess your sin to God (Luke 18:9-14).
- Take wrong patiently (1 Peter 3:8-17).
- Receive correction and feedback from others graciously (Proverbs 10:17, 12:1).
- Accept a lowly place (Proverbs 25:6,7)..
- Choose to serve others (Philippians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 23:11).
- Be quick to forgive (Matthew 18: 21-35).
- Cultivate a grateful heart (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Purpose to speak well of others (Ephesians 4:31-32).
I love these but feel like I must have humility first to do them — True confession.
How do we get humility? God must bring it –true confession. Some of us just can’t seem to be humble without adversity.
Paul, the Apostle must have had plenty of problems too, because he learned to glory in his infirmities. Is this realistic?
From “The Glory of Weakness” By George Davis we quote, “Our Christian walk is marked by crisis after crisis after crisis. The reason for this is that we tend to bring to our new Christian walk our old human tenacity, expressed in a new christianized ambition to be a “Good Christian.” In fact, to be better than the rest. Although this may sound admirable to some, the flesh takes great pride in being a good Christian.” awildernessvoice.com
Having settled the reasoning behind a lot of our adversity we must say this: well meaning people and friends may not understand whats happening when God humbles us. This misunderstanding also helps and they contribute, too, to the humbling of us. Oh happy day!
To lose friends, family and loved ones; to be questioned, to be called a liar, to be defamed or embarrassed does what? Humbles.
Humility is good for what? Opens me to God-consciousness.
And that does what? Encourages us to cling to our God and Friend, for we so need Him now! All effective ministry comes through broken men or women.
Lastly, the concept of humility has grown in me. I am more welcoming to the humblings, in fact, they are quite on time. I find Him more, I rest more, I love more, I enjoy more. He becomes enough, though I never can have Him fully. I would get proud again. I need another righteous to smite me, let the Word barrage me, it will be an oil unto me. Thank you Jesus, you accomplished it!
love ya