Monday, 16^th October 2023

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: HUMILITY

THEME SCRIPTURE: “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone who exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” – Luke 18:14

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

What is humility and who can be considered humble before God?

 

There are those who trust in themselves. Their confidence is in what they can do and have accomplished. Such people have failed to understand that a man can receive nothing except what is given to him from above (John 3:27). What comes from above is grace.

It is remarkable to learn that God places a high premium on the virtue of humility, such that He gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6).

To teach the importance of humility, Jesus gave a parable (Luke 18:9). Two men, a Pharisee and a tax collector, went to the temple to pray (Luke 18:10). In prayer to God, this Pharisee began to justify himself by saying, “I thank you that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice in the week; I give tithe of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). Interestingly, the tax collector, in humility, would not even come near. But standing afar off, he began to beat his chest with this petition, “God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

In the end, God justified the tax collector but the prayers of the Pharisee was not heard by God. Why should that be, beloved?

The Pharisee was the one who kept the law scrupulously (or thought he did), gave his tithe to the Lord and fasted twice a week. Remarkable achievement here for the Pharisee. The tax collector on the other hand was in a profession where extortion, greed and dishonesty were the way of life. It seems unfair that the man with the unquestionable behavior was not accepted but rather the man with the questionable vocation. The Pharisee had everything except the virtue of humility; the tax collector had nothing except his humility.

Precious one, our self-opinion will always reflect in the way we perceive God.

The Pharisee appeared before God with all his accolades and accomplishments as though God is a corporation and we need to invest (by doing this or that) to get dividends. It is arrogant to think that we can bargain with God based on our works. What do we have that we did not receive? If we received, then where is our right to use what we’ve received or do in Christ (or for Christ) as a basis for a negotiation with God? The tax collector saw himself as someone who was not worthy (undeserving). He saw God as the only one who is big enough to help him. Therefore, he approached God as the merciful one. He was awed by the God he knew and therefore he stood afar.

Beloved, never forget that God resists (and He is against) the proud.

The man who exalts himself to sit at the table with God to negotiate Him with his works abhors Him. A man who trusts in himself, or his accomplishments or position and despises others, will never find favor with God. The one who treats others with disdain because they are socially nothing is also spiritually unprofitable to God. He will withhold His grace from such man so that he is abased. But the humble man will God elevate. So then, learn to be humble in Christ. Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING – Luke 18:9-14

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How humble are you, in all sincerity?

 

PRAYER

Precious Father, you will always resist the proud and the arrogant. But the humble will always find grace before you. I receive grace to look beyond myself, seeing that all that I am is by your grace. Continue to work in me to mature into a perfect man, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, in Jesus’ precious name. Hallelujah!

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Chronicle 7; 2 Chronicles 8; Ezekiel 42; John 8