We Gain Great Benefit From Humbling Ourselves
This requires living a life of faith, believing God’s promise that we will gain great benefit from humbling ourselves, serving in ways that bring us no earthly reward, and living this way even when it brings us grief from the world. It takes faith to believe that God’s rewards will exceed the rewards promised by the world:
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
matthew 23:12
Because Jesus did these things He was exalted by His Father, and given authority over all things.
Jesus taught His disciples how to become the greatest among you through His words and actions. He lived this with His actions. May we too follow His great example. Instead of lording our position of authority over other people, as the world promotes, may we live true greatness by serving them. May we do the work to lift others up, helping them be successful. May we do “our best” to play “our role” to help “the team” succeed.
Life Training offers Christian counseling online and in-person in Louisville, Kentucky.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
hebrews 11:6
We should seek to be like Jesus, who is “the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus, “endured the cross, despising the shame” of the world (Hebrews 12:2). This means that although Jesus endured massive shame, being hung on a cross before the world, He gave it no notice. To “despise” something it to assign it no value. The reason Jesus assigned no value to shame from the world was because of the contrast between what the world had to offer and the “joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). That “joy” was received when Jesus “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” To sit at the “right hand” is to be given all authority, second only to the Father Himself.
“Bad” Religion versus “Good” Religion
Humility before God and others and contentment in serving regardless of earthly recognition are Jesus’s remedy for Bad Religion. They are the disposition and the practice of Good Religion. And they are the qualities that mark greatness in His kingdom.
“Humility” is seeing things as they actually are. As humans, we are limited beings. So in order to see actual reality we must rely on God’s revealed truth. Thus, faith and humility are essential companions (Hebrews 11:6)
We are constantly tempted to exalt ourselves, so we must pray for humility. Whoever exalts himself will become humble. And whoever humbles himself will be exalted. So to pray for humility, In his chapter on pride in Mere Christianity, author C.S. Lewis speaks of humility as this “almost great, unattainable trait.” We pray and pray and try and try for humility. Once we get there, we become proud of it. In our pride, we then have to start all over. Humility is the essence of what it means to follow Christ, to really deny yourself, to take up your cross, to die to yourself and say, “I want my life to be about you alone, Jesus. I want everything-”
Life Training offers Christian counseling online and in-person in Louisville, Kentucky.
Humility Requires We Die To Self
Soul health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated. Our counselors are ordained Christian ministers as well as certified and licensed Christian counselors. We are able to help you experience freedom from shame, anxiety, depression, or marriage issues with methods that are purely Christ-centered. Please click on this link to learn much more about how our Christian counseling in Louisville, Kentucky can help you become a more authentic follower of Christ, and help you find freedom from identity dependence.https://lifetrainingcounseling.org/
Life Training offers convenient sessions at https://lifetrainingcounseling.org/depression-counseling/our office in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as online counseling via Zoom or FaceTime. Our non-profit counseling practice has had an outstanding track record from over a decade helping men and women, individuals and couples who are ready to move beyond anxiety, depression, and conflicts in marriage or other relationships find hope and healing in their lives. Contact us today at 502-717-5433, or by email at drdave@lifetrainingcounseling.org
Life Training offers Christian counseling online and in-person in Louisville, Kentucky.