January 27 2014
Christ the Lowly, part VII
“Agree quickly with your adversary (Matthew 5:25, NAS).”
“It is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded (II Corinthians 6:7, NAS).”
“We are to clothe ourselves daily in humility (I Peter 5:5, NAS).”
Just as pride comes before the fall, humility comes before honor. There is no honor without humility first. Humility dictates that a person demands to be judged and reckoned by others. If outward humility is not the result of inward humility, it is very dangerous because it becomes an outward show of deceit. To put it another way: the outward expression of humility must always be a result of inward grace at work. Humility is the direct nature of God. Take advantage of every opportunity of humility.
Jesus is the perfect example of humility. We all know that if we are accused of something for which we are guilty, we must confess, apologize and make it right. However, what if we are wrongfully accused? What then? Do we have the right to jump into a debate with someone, yelling (or calmly stating) how wrong they are about us? Absolutely not! Rather, instead of arguing, we should respond by apologizing to them for having given them the impression that we did or said what they think we did or said. Ask how we can make it right. When your opponent is faced with your humility, how can they successfully come against you?
We need to get it in our spirit-man that our defender (Christ) is far greater than the offender (Satan). We are never to defend ourselves. Walk away if we must, but don’t get into a showdown of words trying to convince someone they are wrong. When has that ever accomplished anything good? When someone thinks something in their heart, no amount of words we speak can turn them away from their opinion. Only God can change a heart. Don’t waste time and energy, and for heaven’s sake, don’t jeopardize your personal walk with God because someone thinks something incorrect. It isn’t worth it. God will prove them wrong in time; we needn’t concern ourselves with such petty matters because truth will always surface in due season. Keep integrity intact and it will protect you in the long run.
Peace and blessings,
Alexys V. Wolf
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