THIS IS THE ONE TO WHOM I WILL LOOK: HE WHO IS HUMBLE
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: “Dit is die een wat Ek raaksien, die een wat nederig is.”
Translator: Robin Barker
Someone asked me if I would not write something about ‘humbleness’.
I am going to reflect on humbleness from a Christian’s point of view, but firstly, we must very clearly remember who our ‘Standard of comparison’ is, which our humbleness is to be compared against, so that we can see if we are really humble, and we then have the right kind of humbleness within our lives. I
A person can, for example, live a kind of humble life to show other people how humble they are. In other words you can boast with your humbleness.
It is, to put it that way, just another one of those opposites of true humbleness.
So, how do Christians know what is true humbleness? Or if being humble should be a part of a Christian’s being/paraphernalia?
In his letter to the Philippians, my great hero Paul put it in an excellent way:
PHIL 2:5-8
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing y taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Paul underlines what he wrote on another occasion to the Christians in Ephesus:
EPH 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
MAT 11:28-29 NLT
28 Then Jesus said: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
When we are humble and gentle at heart, we are useful for our Lord:
NUM 12:3 Now Moses was very humble – more humble than any other person on earth.
This brings me to the humbleness of a Christian:
We read:
PHIL 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Humility is not being arrogant or boasting in yourself and your own abilities.
JAM 4:6 .. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
PRO 16:5 The LORD detests (despises) the proud; they will surely be punished.
Humility does not mean having no confidence of begin passive – but living completely under our Lord’s authority in obedience to Him in love.
1COR 16:13-14
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
14 And do everything with love.ROM 11:20 …Don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.
A person can ask the question of themselves:
Is it at all possible for a person to be humble, as we read in the Word how Christians should be humble?
Then personally for me the answer is: Yes.
How can I make such a statement?
Because of what the Word says about a true Christian:
GAL 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Is it not wonderful to know this?
Jesus, through His example gave us of how a Christian’s actions should be when it comes to humbleness, lives in me to give me the right guidance.
How is it possible for me as a Christian disciple and child of God, to live a life that is unthinkable to a natural man?
Well, firstly, as you have just read, Christ lives, for whom it is absolutely possible, in me, and I live with Him through my belief in Him.
So no matter how you look at the situation, it’s a winner.
Read this again:
GAL 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
In addition, concerning this matter, it is for me personally very good to know that when I am tempted by satan, there is no grey areas.
Either I must walk the path which our Lord wants me to walk, with the results which will eventually follow –
Or I must now walk the path that satan wants me to walk and carry the results which go along with that.
MAT 23:12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
ISA 66:2 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.
In closing this writing, I leave you with the following two scriptures out of God’s Word:
COL 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
Come let you and I, concerning this matter, apply the following words from the Word to ourselves:
PHIL 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Greetings,
Sakkie