“Just as you bathe and dress in the morning, so take a spiritual shower and put on the clothes of Christ.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –August 30, 2023
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Very practically, my humility before the Lord is validated by my humility toward others. I may have a prayer time in the morning, but if I am snapping and being irritable toward others during the day, then I am not walking in humility. Loving others is the fruit of humility. Paul, throughout his writings, beautifully describes the interactions between humble and loving followers of Jesus, “It [love] is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). Because Jesus humbled Himself and first loved us, so we are able to humble ourselves and love others. If we say we love God and do not love others, then the Lord calls us out as a liar (1 John 4:20-21). Ouch! Yet, a humble heart is honest about being first loved by God, so we can love others to God. Humility loves.
In Andrew Murray’s classic book, Humility, he gets to the heart of the matter related to humility, love, and service, “It is in our relation to one another, in our treatment of one another, that the true lowliness of mind and the heart of humility are to be seen. Our humility before God has no value, but as it prepares us to reveal the humility of Jesus to our fellow men…The humble man looks upon every, the feeblest and unworthiest, child of God, and honors him and prefers him in honor as the son of a King. The spirit of Him who washed the disciples’ feet makes it a joy to us to be indeed the least, to be servants one of another.” Humility looks to honor and love all.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:12-13).
Just as you bathe and dress in the morning, so take a spiritual shower and put on the clothes of Christ. Wash off shame and put on acceptance in your Beloved. Wash off guilt and put on forgiveness from your Savior Jesus. Wash off hurt and put on comfort from the sweet Holy Spirit. Wash off any confusion and put on the wisdom of your heavenly Father. Wash off worry and put on a peace that surpasses understanding. Wash off judging and put on mercy. Wash off sin management and put on freedom from grace, accountable to your greatest love, the Lord God Almighty. A humble, loving life has a regular routine of cleansing unhealthy acts and attitudes and putting on Christ’s righteousness. The One who washed feet cleanses and makes you worthy!
Look for ways to express humility by loving others. When you humbly ask another person a question to help her, and you better understand, then you are loving well. Questions like, “What is behind your tears? How is your heart? What is the Lord saying to you? It sounds like you are experiencing freedom; how so?” Questions clarify and give confidence to the one processing what the Spirit may be revealing in his mind and heart. Instead of jumping to solutions or rushing to relate your experience, be gentle and humble with your response. Give your friend permission to process pain in a safe place of no judgment. Helping another discover God’s heart is the heart of the matter. Dignity and honor flow from loving others from a humble heart. The fruit of relational care builds trust and helps everyone feel truly known, loved, and empowered.
“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my humble heart to love others well with my gentle questions and loving heart through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application
Seek to love someone today with relational care by humbly and lovingly asking him or her clarifying questions. i.e. “What is behind your tears? How is your heart? What is the Lord saying to you? It sounds like you are experiencing freedom; how so?”
Related Reading
John 13:34-35, 15:12-17; Romans 13:8; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 4:7, 11-12
Worship Resource
Hillsong United: Clean (Acoustic)
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