If humility is not compliance with relativism and is not sophomoric skepticism, what is it? This is important, since the Bible says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5), and "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11). God has told us at least six things about humility.
1. Humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Christ.
- A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. (Matthew 10:24)
- Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. (1 Peter 5:6)
- If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! (Matthew 10:25) Therefore humility does not return evil for evil.
- It is not life based on its perceived rights.
- Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps; . . . while suffering, He uttered no threats, but handed [his cause] overto Him who judges righteously. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
- Love rejoices in the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6)
- What I [Jesus] tell you in the darkness, speak in the light. . . . Do not fear. (Matthew 10:27-28)
- We do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)
- What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
- In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
- We see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
- A wise man is he who listens to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)
- Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. (2 Corinthians 5:11)
- Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16)
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