Robe Humility / Disrobe Hubris

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 1, 2017

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  1 Timothy 1:15

Humility is modest and respectful; hubris is proud and arrogant. Humility practices an egoless attitude; hubris exhibits an egocentric persona. Humility has a proper perspective of its capabilities; hubris is overconfident. Humility depends on God and others; hubris thinks it is self-contained. Humility is an aspiring virtue; hubris is a venomous vice.

We cultivate humility in our hearts when we remember how far the Lord has brought us by His grace. We are sinners saved by God’s grace, kept by God’s grace, and empowered to live the Christian life, by God’s grace. Our humble living sacrifice to Christ is all of grace or none at all. We need not forget where we came from, lest we lose our fiery faith.

“Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5b

Do you daily dress yourself in the clothes of humility? Consider a hat of submission to authority, a t-shirt of trust, a blouse of belief, a collared shirt of care, pants of prayer, a dress of dependence, a belt of boldness, socks of service, and shoes of gratitude. Humility lived out for the Lord requires intentionality in your body, soul, and spirit. Hubris hopes you dismiss humility as a strategy for the weak, but humility gives you access to grace.

Perhaps you take the lead in doing chores around your house or schedule a 24-hour silent retreat to get quiet before the Lord and listen to His gentle voice. Your humility checkmates hubris when you are intentional in your behavior and instructional in your beliefs. Jesus emptied Himself of self so His heavenly Father could fill Him with grace.

Hubris says quiet times are electives, humility says they are required. Hubris says prayer is passé, humility says there is nothing more relevant. Hubris says personal achievement is the ultimate goal, humility says it’s for the glory of God. Your position of power and influence at home and work is a platform for humble service. See your role in life as a conduit for Christ and His kingdom. Your humility is heaven’s leverage in other’s lives.

“Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5b-8, NASB

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