Humility - Luke 18:10-14

[AnglersRental]

I have been thinking and praying on humility in general and being humble before god in particular of late. It’s one thing that’s not so easy for me. Any thoughts or references on the topic would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Brad

[Fred N]

Uglygreen: Here is a start from one search engine:

humility "Christian Thoughts" (http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/search/web/humility%2B%2522Christian%2BThoughts%2522)

[rimrock]

Brad,

I’m glad to see you spending time with God in His word. Parables are tricky things; It’s not that they are mysterious rather they are typically very simply and we make them overly complex. The parables usually have their simple purpose stated at the end of the story. Here it is, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Rather simple isn’t it. As you look at it the point is not to think less of yourself, but to think of yourself less. Let God be God and He will raise you up and shape your life in the way that ultimately will be best for you. Spend less time on what you think you need to do and more time focusing on God – worship, prayer and reading His word like you are doing.

After all God calls you His son and takes great delight in you. Being a son of the King is a pretty big deal and shows the great worth you are in His eyes. There is a big difference between being worthy and having worth. One would be thinking of yourself in an arrogant manner that you deserve something by your actions, the other is realizing your value not by what you do but because of the One who calls you His child. :angel:

[happybrew]

Chapter 2 of Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis

Here (http://www.ccel.org/k/kempis/imitation2/htm/ONE.2.htm)

Has some good reflections on humility, as well as other sections.

happybrew

[Fred N]

Thanks for sharing, happybrew!

[AnglersRental]

Thanks for the references.

Brad

[fishnwHim]

I have but one thought on your post and that is, you are a humble man because you have been thinking and praying about it. You have Humbled yourself before your peers asking for Humility. Thank you Jesus for your answers to our prayers. :bowdown: :bowdown:

[AnglersRental]

So after some reading and prayer I believe that I understand that humility doesnt just mean surrender. :idea:

Rather, I now understand that true humility confers dignity and grace on us, strengthens us to take spiritual action in solving problems, and prepares us for the realization of Gods will for our lives.

Thanks,

Brad

[Salmon Stryker]

Right on Brad! I've heard it this way. "The true way to be humble is not to think of yourself as less than you are, but to measure yourself against someone greater(God)then you will see the true smallness of your greatness" ...or something like that.

I hear a lot of christians say, "I am nothing but a broken vessel."

"I'm just trying to stay out of God's way"

"Just let go and let God"

Etc. Etc.

No you are not a broken vessel, you are an image bearer of the living God. You were formed in His image and called His own before time began.

But compared to God well then that is where surrender of control, asking Him for wisdom, living by faith etc. comes from...a true humility before God.

But being weak or passive or thinking that you are nothing is not what being humble is all about. There is nothing passive about being a christian. And that is such good new for me anyway. So I just thought I'd share. :smash: