“Your praise to God puts pride at bay…and humbly clarifies His ways.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 6, 2023
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
It’s not possible to be holy without a humble heart…a holiness counterfeit is a pride cloaked in self-righteousness…a holier-than-thou attitude that is disgusting to the Lord. “The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is its lack of humility. Every seeker after holiness needs to be on his guard, lest unconsciously what was begun in the spirit be perfected in the flesh, and pride creeps in where its presence is least expected” (Andrew Murray). So, it is essential that we be on our guard not to become a poser. If not intentionally walking in humility, Christians can naturally drift into self-righteousness within the confines of the church. Instead of cultivating an attractive, humble life so outsiders are drawn in…there is a form of religious pride that fuels the language of those who claim to love the Lord, yet their words and actions do not love those who do not know the Lord. However, authentic holiness wrapped in humility is a gift of love to the lost.
Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience are the spiritual wardrobe of Jesus’ followers set apart by the Holy Spirit as a daily reminder to a hurting world that there is a way of love for those lost and confused. One way to ensure you dress for spiritual success is not to forget how undone and spiritually bankrupt you were before you were saved and to be grateful daily for God’s blessings, goodness, and grace. Out loud and in your heart say, “Bless the Lord for all His many benefits (Psalm 103). God is so good, He’s so good to me,” Sing with joy, “I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my Lord…take hold, my King, of everything, and may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ears. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below, praise Him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, amen, amen.” Your praise to God puts pride at bay…and humbly clarifies His ways.
“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!” (Psalm 68:35, NKJV)
The fear of God and being in awe of His holiness is foundational to a humble faith in Jesus. “Jesus the Holy One is the humble One: the holiest will ever be the humblest. There is none holy but God: we have as much holiness as we have of God. And according to what we have of God will be our real humility because humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all. The holiest will be the humblest” (Andrew Murray). Humbled by the holiness of God is the posture of a prayerful follower of Jesus Christ. Isaiah, who saw the Lord high and lifted up, and was undone by his sin…this bold prophet of God allowed the holiness of God to humble him and to cleanse him of “unclean lips.” Perhaps your careless words, like Isaiah’s, need the hot tongs of God’s holiness and love to singe your conceited soul and purge your proud heart so you walk humbly with the Lord your God. Holiness from above purifies pride below.
Holiness is a command, “He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Holy One, the Lord God Almighty, has called you to be holy as He is holy. Holiness with a humble heart, holiness with kind words, holiness with good deeds, holiness with an attractive attitude, holiness with generous giving, holiness with selfless service, all with holy motives originating in the holiness of Jesus Christ. Attractive holiness is animated by your doing flowing out of your being…humble holiness!
“Come to Christ, who is the living Foundation of Rock upon which God builds; though men have spurned him, he is very precious to God, who has chosen him above all others. And now you have become living building stones for God’s use in building his house. What’s more, you are his holy priests; so come to him—you who are acceptable to him because of Jesus Christ—and offer to God those things that please him.” (1 Peter 2:4-5, TLB)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may I see you high and lifted up, so in worship, may your holiness lead me to repentance and cleansing from the burning coals of your love and forgiveness through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
What does it look like for you to be holy as your Father in heaven is holy? Maybe start with the generous forgiveness of others so you qualify to be forgiven by God.
Related Reading
Exodus 15:11; Psalm 96:9; Ezekiel 38:23; 1 Samuel 2:2; Revelation 15:4
Worship Resource
Acoustic Worship Cover by Steven Moctezuma: Holy, Holy, Holy (Lord God Almighty) Hymn
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