"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Humble road sign on the route to destination Beautiful

Humility, it is one of those things that most Christians admire, but few of us practice. God gave me a picture of Christian humility last night. As Christians, the focus of others should not be directed on us alone. We should be receiving very little focus. We are like a road sign. We are here to direct others to someone so much greater. The focus of others should not be on the sign alone, but should be excited anticipation directed towards the destination. The beautiful destination of Christ. What foolishness would it be if you drove down the highway and ended your journey because you became enthralled with the beauty of a shiny, green road sign. Yet as Christians, I feel that way to often that is exactly where we want people's attention to fall. The beginning of this year, I was so in love with the sound of my own voice that I would spend much of my time imparting my spiritual "wisdom" on others not so that they would grow in their faith, but so that I could impress them with words i vomited out and steal Gods glory. This would be what we call the opposite of humility. The ultimate act of humility is not just giving your time, not just lending an ear (often these things are done expecting an time and an ear in return), but giving all that you are to someone else. Putting yourself on the back burner, and focusing all of your attention on someone else. True humility puts others higher than yourself. Abraham did this when he let Lot choose land before him. David did this when he spared Sauls Life. Christ did this on the cross. We are called to live this humility as well. We must never forget that we are nobodies made into somebodies through the greatest body; the body of Christ and the great act of humility he demonstrated through dieing for us.

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings-1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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