What is Christian Love?
In our society, love is a multi-faceted term. It could mean a good feeling toward another (even if you have never seen the person before). It could mean a feeling of sexual lust, or the sexual act itself. It could mean acting in a positive way toward another, or “being nice”. Or it could mean to enjoy the company of another. Love is also used as the opposite of feeling hate.
However, “love” as used by Jesus is much more specific. It speaks of two general moral actions: remaining in relationship with another—in other words, never “cutting someone off”—and acting for another’s benefit, especially when the other is in need or trouble. Love is never exclusively used as an internal feeling, separated from words or actions. Love is always something one does for the benefit of another. The opposite of love isn’t hate, so much, as actions of hatred or hostility.
On top of this, Jesus insists that our motivation to love is to be in relationship with God. We have mercy on others so we can obtain mercy from God (Matthew 5:7). And we love without exclusion, so we can be called God’s children (Luke 6:35). We don’t love just because it is the “right” or “nice” thing to do, but because we desire God’s acceptance, honor and blessing. And if we fail to act in love—at all times, to every person—then we will not be accepted by God.
Christian love is an unbelievably high ideal. We are supposed to love those who hate us. We are to help those whose help is beyond our resources. We are to offer help to everyone who asks of us. And we are supposed to act this way at all times, with no exception without repentance and reconciliation. How can this be done? Frankly, it is not humanly possible. Even Jesus only acted openly and publicly in love with the power of the Spirit behind him. Only then could he be certain, as a human, that he could act with the Father’s love at all time. Even so, we have no chance of acting in love all the time without the constant leading and empowering of the Spirit of God.
Practical Christian Love
Have mercy on people’s weaknesses
All of us have weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses are sin, and some are just failings that we have. In our humanity, we want people to have mercy on us in our weaknesses—we want people to overlook them or to help us through them. Yet, also in our humanity, we condemn others for their weaknesses—we want to cause guilt or suffering in them because they harm others. Jesus, however, tells us that if we are to expect any kind of mercy from others—especially God—then we need to have mercy on others. Rather than condemning people’s weaknesses, we need to find ways to have compassion on them and help them based on that compassion, rather than judgement. (Luke 6:36-38)
Give opportunity for repentance
If we see someone act in their weaknesses, especially if in their weakness, they did something that hurt us, then we want to cut them off from us in some way. We want to have nothing to do with them, or perhaps scream at them, or to keep them away from our community. Jesus both demonstrated and taught just the opposite. If someone is in sin—even if they hurt us, even if the sin was extreme—we are still to be in relationship with them and give them opportunity to change. If an unbeliever is in sin, we are to give them opportunity to show faith (Mark 2:17; Luke 15:1-10). If a believer is in sin, we are to give them many chances to make right (Matthew 18:15-17). And a believer who is weak, but not in sin, is never to be excluded, but welcomed and assisted (Mark 9:37-42).
Forgive debts
If someone does repent, trying to make right their weakness or sin, it is in our human nature to see that person pay their debts and to give in restitution exactly as they have taken. Thus, our humanity says that if they caused us shame, they need to receive shame; if they stole from us, they should pay back the exact amount; if they broke the law, they should pay the full penalty. However, Jesus says that instead of seeking payback, we should forgive those who repent (Luke 17:3-4). Forgiveness means that they are in relationship and that they are not required to pay the full debt back. This means that we are not seeking a payback, but we are willing to wipe the slate clean (Matthew 18:21-35). This also means that we will not remind others of the things they have done against us (I Corinthians 13:5).
Give to those who ask
If someone asks us for forgiveness or help, our natural, human response is to preserve our resources for us and ours. We don’t feel secure enough to give to others when they really need it. Jesus, however, told us to help those who asked (Matthew 5:42). Often we want to refuse assistance to those who have done us wrong in some way, or who are “unworthy” in our eyes. Jesus, however, gave even to the most unworthy, if they just asked in faith (Matthew 15:22-28). This does not mean that we should give to people whatever they ask for. We need to give out of love—which means giving toward their real need, not just giving whatever is convenient without regard to their need (I Corinthians 13:2).
Pray for others
Often, when we look at our resources, we find that we do not have enough to help others. We find that we are limited by economics, by time, by geography and by our own anxieties. However, Jesus taught us that action on our compassion shouldn’t be limited by resources, because God has the greatest resources of all (Matthew 6:31-33). We may not be able to heal a sick person, but God can (Acts 3:1-8). We may not be able to feed the hungry, but God can (Mark 6:34-43). We may not be able to give the gospel to everyone, but God can (Matthew 24:14). So our compassion does not need to be limited by our limitation—if we would but pray, then we are enacting God’s mercy on people, which is far greater than our own.
Set free the oppressed
Many people are sick, both physically and mentally. While medical workers do their best to heal, they are not always able to. Sometimes they just do not have the knowledge, and sometimes they do not recognize the spiritual forces involved in healing. There are spirits that assist in causing physical and mental illnesses. And doctors do not usually have the authority to command these spirits. However, anyone in Jesus, having the authority Jesus gave all of his disciples, can command the spirits to release those attacked by them (Mark 16:17-18). In this way, the people of Jesus can express their compassion in a unique way that no one else can.
Provide hospitality
It seems like so little, it seems so simple, but often compassion and Christian love can be expressed just in an open door, a cheerful welcome and a meal. Hospitality in Scripture means offering food and drink, clothing, a warm place to rest or sleep, and an opportunity to get cleaned up (Matthew 25:31-46; John 13:1-15). It was often given to the poor and travelers within the church, but it was offered to others as well (Galatians 6:10). Although it seems so simple, but if we refuse to enact this hospitality, then we do not express the love of Christ.
If one is a Christian, this kind of love is not an option. If we fail to forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). If we refuse to have mercy, God will not have mercy on us (Matthew 5:7). If we refuse to offer hospitality, we will be thrown out of God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46). And if we live in bitterness and judgement, then we will be judged by God (Luke 6:37). Love is not an option, it is a demand. And it is demanding. Yet it is the most gentle, most gracious way of life any of us could ask for (Matthew 11:28-30).
Showing posts with label Virtues of the Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Virtues of the Cross. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Essential Christian Submission
Submission is considered to be a dirty word in modern America. It is associated with battered wives and children cowering under overbearing men in white t-shirts. It is connected with military units with a screaming leader and the rest following in goosesteps. Others might think of a religious order in the sticks, where no one can make a move without asking permission of the Great Leader. However, Christian submission is not something forced, nor anything negative—rather it is the secret of Jesus’ cross.
Jesus submitted to the Father in going to the cross. Yes, the cross was gruesome and shaming—a truly horrendous experience—but Jesus went there willingly. And his mode of transportation to the cross—the salvation of all peoples on earth—was willing submission to evil authorities who only had his worst interests in their minds. He opened himself up to their abuse and hatred, and so was provided with the greatest honor anyone could be bestowed—the rule of the kingdom of God. Because Jesus allowed himself to be submitted—both to a loving God and to a hating government—he was granted the opportunity to give mercy to everyone on earth. (I Peter 2:18-23)
What is Christian Submission?
Submission has to do with a response to authority. One does not submit to one’s own child or employee. Rather, it is what one in a lower social station does to one in authority. Submission has some of the connotations that are connected to it in a negative context. Submission is certainly obedience, and it can be receiving punishments for disobedience. It can also be paying money requested, and offering what honor society requires (such as calling someone by a proper title). Submission does not mean that we refuse to disagree with the one we submit to, nor that we cannot express our opinion. But it gives the respect due the office. In our society, most people would offer submission to the president, or a police officer or a judge in the courtroom—at least, if they were on our side.
But Christian submission goes much further than submission in the world. Christian submission would be offered to everyone who is in authority—from the President to the lowest pencil-pusher in a Social Security office. We would give it to the leaders in the communities we live in—whether that be a group home, a hospital, a rehab house, a shelter, or a Christian community. We give it to our church leaders—but more than that, we are to submit to each other in the church, honoring each other as greater than ourselves! The only authority that exists that we are not to submit to is Satan—that’s because the only authority he has over us is what we give him. (I Peter 2:13-15; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:11)
But Christian submission is given to God first and foremost. We submit to other authorities because of the respect we have for God. God established authority on all humans and to some humans in particular—and so we are to show our respect to everyone in any kind of authority, because fundamentally the authority they use is God’s. We don’t have to like the way they use authority, but we need to respect the authority itself. This means that no matter how evil, how wicked the authority, we respect and obey that person anyway. (James 4:7; Romans 13:1)
Why would we do that? If there is anything we are trained in, it is to reject authority we don’t care for. However, as Rodney King found out, if you prove careless with other’s authority, it will bite you back. Harshly. Now Jesus submitted to authority, but he received the same treatment, only worse. So why would we submit to evil authority? Because our submission under harsh treatment is a neon sign to God: “I’m being oppressed!” And God will respond with justice.
Thus, the opposite of submission is to take justice in our own hands and give the evil authority “what they deserve”. Perhaps it will be with violence, or with legal action or with harsh words, but the point is to give back to them justice. But justice by our own hands is no justice at all—we will only be slammed again, or we will hit the other too hard and be the oppressor in turn. But justice meted out by God is perfect and true, and merciful, for it gives opportunity for repentance. Thus, true submission shows faith in God, but enacting vengeance only displays our faith in ourselves. And we cannot deliver ourselves. (Romans 13:2; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19)
The secret of Christian Submission is this (the secret of the cross, actually): If you respond to an authority’s harsh treatment with submission, and even positive action to them, then God will see the whole event and defend you. He will support you and help you, but the evil authority he will strip of their power and punish. If we submit to authorities, we are trusting in God’s justice and mercy to the oppressed. (Romans 12:19; Psalm 37; I Peter 4:12-19)
What does Christian submission look like?
Christian submission is granting honor
We want to honor the authorities above us. Perhaps that will mean simply calling them by their titles (“officer” or “sir”). Certainly it will mean using respectful speech and not demeaning them in any way. We also grant honor by giving thanks. We certainly should do this with God, and with governmental authorities. But we should also speak this way to the lowest of those in the church, granting honor to them, as we are all supposed to submit to each other. Respectful speech is most important to those whom we are closest to—our spouses and our friends. (I Peter 2:17,18; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is obeying authorities’ commands
If we are given a command by an authority, we are to obey it, and this will show respect to God. If an evil person commands us to do something, we are to obey that as well—unless it is in opposition to what God told us to do. Obedience is important also to those whom are over us where we live, and to church elders as well. Obedience seems like something to just make our lives tougher, but it will actually make our lives easier in the long run. (Hebrews 13:17; Psalm 18:44)
Christian submission is praying for authorities
One of the shows of respect we have for our authorities—whether they are righteous or evil—is to pray for them. To pray for someone is to request that God would bless them. We can pray that God would grant an authority mercy and grace. We can pray that they would provide opportunities for us to obey God and spread the gospel. But we should pray for authorities over us, that effect our lives. (I Timothy 2:1-2)
Christian submission is paying proper taxes
Many governmental authorities require taxes. Rather than complain about it or despise the task, both Jesus and Paul encourage us to do it willingly, as part of our submission. As a part of respecting the authority that comes from God, paying taxes honors God. (Mark 12:14-17; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is willingly accepting unjust punishment
All authority metes out punishment. It is a part of being an authority. However, an authority can chose for themselves whether the punishment they give will be for right reasons or wrong ones. And they can determine if the punishment they give is gentle or harsh. The authority who punishes for God’s reasons and with gentleness will be rewarded by God. But the authority who is harsh and punishes even the righteous will be punished. (Luke 12:42-47)
The strangest thing about Christian virtue is that receiving harsh, unjust punishment from an evil authority—especially for the sake of following Jesus—is the basis for Christian joy. Jesus tells us to be glad when we suffer unjustly because we will be greatly rewarded by God on the final day for enduring it in love. For this reason, Jesus says, if we suffer under an unjust punishment, we should offer the evil authority even more of an opportunity to punish us. The more we are harmed, the more God will reward us (and the more evil the authority will seem—even in his own eyes!). (Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21; I Peter 4:12-19)
Be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For you will gain God’s favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God you bear up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. What credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:18-21
Jesus submitted to the Father in going to the cross. Yes, the cross was gruesome and shaming—a truly horrendous experience—but Jesus went there willingly. And his mode of transportation to the cross—the salvation of all peoples on earth—was willing submission to evil authorities who only had his worst interests in their minds. He opened himself up to their abuse and hatred, and so was provided with the greatest honor anyone could be bestowed—the rule of the kingdom of God. Because Jesus allowed himself to be submitted—both to a loving God and to a hating government—he was granted the opportunity to give mercy to everyone on earth. (I Peter 2:18-23)
What is Christian Submission?
Submission has to do with a response to authority. One does not submit to one’s own child or employee. Rather, it is what one in a lower social station does to one in authority. Submission has some of the connotations that are connected to it in a negative context. Submission is certainly obedience, and it can be receiving punishments for disobedience. It can also be paying money requested, and offering what honor society requires (such as calling someone by a proper title). Submission does not mean that we refuse to disagree with the one we submit to, nor that we cannot express our opinion. But it gives the respect due the office. In our society, most people would offer submission to the president, or a police officer or a judge in the courtroom—at least, if they were on our side.
But Christian submission goes much further than submission in the world. Christian submission would be offered to everyone who is in authority—from the President to the lowest pencil-pusher in a Social Security office. We would give it to the leaders in the communities we live in—whether that be a group home, a hospital, a rehab house, a shelter, or a Christian community. We give it to our church leaders—but more than that, we are to submit to each other in the church, honoring each other as greater than ourselves! The only authority that exists that we are not to submit to is Satan—that’s because the only authority he has over us is what we give him. (I Peter 2:13-15; Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:11)
But Christian submission is given to God first and foremost. We submit to other authorities because of the respect we have for God. God established authority on all humans and to some humans in particular—and so we are to show our respect to everyone in any kind of authority, because fundamentally the authority they use is God’s. We don’t have to like the way they use authority, but we need to respect the authority itself. This means that no matter how evil, how wicked the authority, we respect and obey that person anyway. (James 4:7; Romans 13:1)
Why would we do that? If there is anything we are trained in, it is to reject authority we don’t care for. However, as Rodney King found out, if you prove careless with other’s authority, it will bite you back. Harshly. Now Jesus submitted to authority, but he received the same treatment, only worse. So why would we submit to evil authority? Because our submission under harsh treatment is a neon sign to God: “I’m being oppressed!” And God will respond with justice.
Thus, the opposite of submission is to take justice in our own hands and give the evil authority “what they deserve”. Perhaps it will be with violence, or with legal action or with harsh words, but the point is to give back to them justice. But justice by our own hands is no justice at all—we will only be slammed again, or we will hit the other too hard and be the oppressor in turn. But justice meted out by God is perfect and true, and merciful, for it gives opportunity for repentance. Thus, true submission shows faith in God, but enacting vengeance only displays our faith in ourselves. And we cannot deliver ourselves. (Romans 13:2; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19)
The secret of Christian Submission is this (the secret of the cross, actually): If you respond to an authority’s harsh treatment with submission, and even positive action to them, then God will see the whole event and defend you. He will support you and help you, but the evil authority he will strip of their power and punish. If we submit to authorities, we are trusting in God’s justice and mercy to the oppressed. (Romans 12:19; Psalm 37; I Peter 4:12-19)
What does Christian submission look like?
Christian submission is granting honor
We want to honor the authorities above us. Perhaps that will mean simply calling them by their titles (“officer” or “sir”). Certainly it will mean using respectful speech and not demeaning them in any way. We also grant honor by giving thanks. We certainly should do this with God, and with governmental authorities. But we should also speak this way to the lowest of those in the church, granting honor to them, as we are all supposed to submit to each other. Respectful speech is most important to those whom we are closest to—our spouses and our friends. (I Peter 2:17,18; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is obeying authorities’ commands
If we are given a command by an authority, we are to obey it, and this will show respect to God. If an evil person commands us to do something, we are to obey that as well—unless it is in opposition to what God told us to do. Obedience is important also to those whom are over us where we live, and to church elders as well. Obedience seems like something to just make our lives tougher, but it will actually make our lives easier in the long run. (Hebrews 13:17; Psalm 18:44)
Christian submission is praying for authorities
One of the shows of respect we have for our authorities—whether they are righteous or evil—is to pray for them. To pray for someone is to request that God would bless them. We can pray that God would grant an authority mercy and grace. We can pray that they would provide opportunities for us to obey God and spread the gospel. But we should pray for authorities over us, that effect our lives. (I Timothy 2:1-2)
Christian submission is paying proper taxes
Many governmental authorities require taxes. Rather than complain about it or despise the task, both Jesus and Paul encourage us to do it willingly, as part of our submission. As a part of respecting the authority that comes from God, paying taxes honors God. (Mark 12:14-17; Romans 13:7)
Christian submission is willingly accepting unjust punishment
All authority metes out punishment. It is a part of being an authority. However, an authority can chose for themselves whether the punishment they give will be for right reasons or wrong ones. And they can determine if the punishment they give is gentle or harsh. The authority who punishes for God’s reasons and with gentleness will be rewarded by God. But the authority who is harsh and punishes even the righteous will be punished. (Luke 12:42-47)
The strangest thing about Christian virtue is that receiving harsh, unjust punishment from an evil authority—especially for the sake of following Jesus—is the basis for Christian joy. Jesus tells us to be glad when we suffer unjustly because we will be greatly rewarded by God on the final day for enduring it in love. For this reason, Jesus says, if we suffer under an unjust punishment, we should offer the evil authority even more of an opportunity to punish us. The more we are harmed, the more God will reward us (and the more evil the authority will seem—even in his own eyes!). (Matthew 5:38-42; Romans 12:17-21; I Peter 4:12-19)
Be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For you will gain God’s favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God you bear up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. What credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. I Peter 2:18-21
Essential Chrisitan Humility
What is Humility?
Humility has to do with honor. Honor is the respect we desire from others. When we do not receive the respect we feel we deserve, then we are humbled. We are in the one-down position—someone else has honor or respect over us. This is not acceptable to many of us. The virtue of humility means that we accept the position of being disrespected. If we are disrespected, that is okay with us. Of course, none of us can live in a state of disrespect. We all desire to have respect in our lives, and though we can’t always have it, ultimately, we will do all we can do to get it. That is how our minds work.
In Christian humility, however, we realize that we can receive honor even in our humility. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” – or humbled—“for they will inherit the earth.” Those practicing Christian humility realize that God listens to and rewards the humble more than other people. Those who are disrespected for God on earth have God’s respect, and He will grant them honor, not only now in the heavens, but eternally. Thus, those who are dishonored now for the Lord can take confidence that God is Himself balancing the disrespect they receive with honor.
Many people have recordings going on in their heads, letting them know if what they are doing is honorable or dishonorable. Perhaps they are thinking of their family’s standards, or their friends’. The follower of Jesus, however, has the Holy Spirit speaking to them of what is honorable or dishonorable. If a Christian gives sacrificially to the needy, and those around the giver might accuse him or her of being irresponsible or weak-hearted. But the Holy Spirit would be encouraging one to sacrifice oneself for others, and telling Christians that God would honor one with greater treasure in replacement for the sacrifice.
The Practice of Humility
Humility isn’t just an ideal, that is hard to get one’s life around. It is very practical, and deals with our daily lives. Below are the principles of humility found in the New Testament, to help us navigate how we will live out humility in our lives:
Don’t insist on your rights
Though I have complete freedom, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I might gain more. (I Corinthians 9:19)
In our country, we emphasize freedom and liberty to do what we need to do so that we can be ourselves. We insist upon our rights so we can claim to be truly free. While we really do have the rights that our country gives us, freedom to do and say many things that makes us feel good and be who we really are, often God asks us to set aside these rights. For the sake of others, we may need to set aside our needs and desires. Perhaps we need to set aside our right to defend ourselves against slander or harm, in order to assist another (Mark 14:55-61). Perhaps we need to set aside a right to do as we please so another might not fall into sin (I Corinthians 8:13). Perhaps we need to set aside our right to speak so no one would not be harmed by our words (Ecclesiastes 5:6). We must look at our rights as something that we can have or set aside, depending on the situation.
Don’t seek greatness in the world
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you.” Mark 10:42-43
To be important in this world, you have to show that you are already important. You need degrees, titles and honors so that you can gain greater and greater significance in the world. To be a politician, one must put oneself forward. To be an executive, you have to already show yourself to be significant in business. To gain all but the lowest jobs, you have to show your “experience.” God wishes to give you great positions and honor, but to insist upon one’s own abilities and to gather many titles actually causes one to lose the possibility of advancement in God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us not to seek titles (Matthew 23:8-11) or honors (Luke 14:8-11) and as Christians we are not to boast in our accomplishments or abilities (Philippians 3:4-7).
Boast of your incapacities
If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. II Corinthians 11:30
Does this mean that we cannot boast at all? Oh, no. We are certainly able to boast, but not in our accomplishments or honors. Rather, we can boast in what we are unable to do. If we boast in our weaknesses and inabilities and those who have rejected us and the pain we endure, then we can see God’s work all the more clear. That does not mean that we should create a persona of “false humility”. We shouldn’t claim stupidity or rejection that we have never actually experienced. But we should speak of how God has fulfilled our weaknesses so we have been able to be who we are through his strength. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Repent of your sins
Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19
It is not easy to speak of one’s faults. It is humiliating to apologize, especially if you didn’t make all the mistakes. It is difficult to admit wrong, if no one else admits it first. But the Lord desires us to do just that. He wants us to humble ourselves and admit our sin, and then we will be forgiven. Without that humility, we will never be right before God. (Luke 18:9-14)
Honor the lowly
Those of the body which we deem less honorable, these we grant more abundant honor. I Corinthians 12:23
There are many among us that are considered unimportant or unacceptable. They are in this place, not because of sin, but because of some social “fault” or misunderstanding. You know how it goes—if you hang with the “in” crowd, then you can be “in”. But if you hang with the “out” crowd, then you will be rejected too. But Jesus gave us an example to hang with the “out” crowd (Mark 2:15-17). We need to find those socially unacceptable people, and serve them, support them and grant them a place of honor that others would not do (James 2:5-6; Luke 15). Also, we need to treat those who are under us in honor with greater honor than ourselves—our children, our employees, our spouses, they all need to be treated with greater honor than we ourselves expect from others (Philippians 2:3)
Do demeaning tasks
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we want God’s honor, we have to do the work associated with humility. There are things we don’t want to do, that we think we shouldn’t have to do. And that’s what God is asking us to do to gain his honor. He wants us to do the work that is helpful but unpleasant. He wants us to accept the unacceptable tasks for the sake of everyone. (Philippians 2:4-5)
Submit to unjust authorities
“Do not resist an evil authority.” Matthew 5:39
One last thing, God insists that we humble ourselves before those who want to show us how important they are by making us crawl. Yes, they are irritating. Yes, they are sooooo wrong. Yes, they have no right to treat us the way they do. But God asks us to submit to it anyway. Why is this? Because God likes to see us humiliated? No. It is because he wants to see in reality who is really righteous. If we rebel against an unjust authority, then the lines of right and wrong are fuzzy. Perhaps we deserved to be punished. But if we submit when we did nothing wrong, then God knows who is right and who is wrong. And who will be ultimately punished. (Matthew 5:38-41; Romans 12:19-21)
Humble yourself and God will honor you.
Humility has to do with honor. Honor is the respect we desire from others. When we do not receive the respect we feel we deserve, then we are humbled. We are in the one-down position—someone else has honor or respect over us. This is not acceptable to many of us. The virtue of humility means that we accept the position of being disrespected. If we are disrespected, that is okay with us. Of course, none of us can live in a state of disrespect. We all desire to have respect in our lives, and though we can’t always have it, ultimately, we will do all we can do to get it. That is how our minds work.
In Christian humility, however, we realize that we can receive honor even in our humility. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek” – or humbled—“for they will inherit the earth.” Those practicing Christian humility realize that God listens to and rewards the humble more than other people. Those who are disrespected for God on earth have God’s respect, and He will grant them honor, not only now in the heavens, but eternally. Thus, those who are dishonored now for the Lord can take confidence that God is Himself balancing the disrespect they receive with honor.
Many people have recordings going on in their heads, letting them know if what they are doing is honorable or dishonorable. Perhaps they are thinking of their family’s standards, or their friends’. The follower of Jesus, however, has the Holy Spirit speaking to them of what is honorable or dishonorable. If a Christian gives sacrificially to the needy, and those around the giver might accuse him or her of being irresponsible or weak-hearted. But the Holy Spirit would be encouraging one to sacrifice oneself for others, and telling Christians that God would honor one with greater treasure in replacement for the sacrifice.
The Practice of Humility
Humility isn’t just an ideal, that is hard to get one’s life around. It is very practical, and deals with our daily lives. Below are the principles of humility found in the New Testament, to help us navigate how we will live out humility in our lives:
Don’t insist on your rights
Though I have complete freedom, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I might gain more. (I Corinthians 9:19)
In our country, we emphasize freedom and liberty to do what we need to do so that we can be ourselves. We insist upon our rights so we can claim to be truly free. While we really do have the rights that our country gives us, freedom to do and say many things that makes us feel good and be who we really are, often God asks us to set aside these rights. For the sake of others, we may need to set aside our needs and desires. Perhaps we need to set aside our right to defend ourselves against slander or harm, in order to assist another (Mark 14:55-61). Perhaps we need to set aside a right to do as we please so another might not fall into sin (I Corinthians 8:13). Perhaps we need to set aside our right to speak so no one would not be harmed by our words (Ecclesiastes 5:6). We must look at our rights as something that we can have or set aside, depending on the situation.
Don’t seek greatness in the world
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you.” Mark 10:42-43
To be important in this world, you have to show that you are already important. You need degrees, titles and honors so that you can gain greater and greater significance in the world. To be a politician, one must put oneself forward. To be an executive, you have to already show yourself to be significant in business. To gain all but the lowest jobs, you have to show your “experience.” God wishes to give you great positions and honor, but to insist upon one’s own abilities and to gather many titles actually causes one to lose the possibility of advancement in God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us not to seek titles (Matthew 23:8-11) or honors (Luke 14:8-11) and as Christians we are not to boast in our accomplishments or abilities (Philippians 3:4-7).
Boast of your incapacities
If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. II Corinthians 11:30
Does this mean that we cannot boast at all? Oh, no. We are certainly able to boast, but not in our accomplishments or honors. Rather, we can boast in what we are unable to do. If we boast in our weaknesses and inabilities and those who have rejected us and the pain we endure, then we can see God’s work all the more clear. That does not mean that we should create a persona of “false humility”. We shouldn’t claim stupidity or rejection that we have never actually experienced. But we should speak of how God has fulfilled our weaknesses so we have been able to be who we are through his strength. (II Corinthians 12:9)
Repent of your sins
Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19
It is not easy to speak of one’s faults. It is humiliating to apologize, especially if you didn’t make all the mistakes. It is difficult to admit wrong, if no one else admits it first. But the Lord desires us to do just that. He wants us to humble ourselves and admit our sin, and then we will be forgiven. Without that humility, we will never be right before God. (Luke 18:9-14)
Honor the lowly
Those of the body which we deem less honorable, these we grant more abundant honor. I Corinthians 12:23
There are many among us that are considered unimportant or unacceptable. They are in this place, not because of sin, but because of some social “fault” or misunderstanding. You know how it goes—if you hang with the “in” crowd, then you can be “in”. But if you hang with the “out” crowd, then you will be rejected too. But Jesus gave us an example to hang with the “out” crowd (Mark 2:15-17). We need to find those socially unacceptable people, and serve them, support them and grant them a place of honor that others would not do (James 2:5-6; Luke 15). Also, we need to treat those who are under us in honor with greater honor than ourselves—our children, our employees, our spouses, they all need to be treated with greater honor than we ourselves expect from others (Philippians 2:3)
Do demeaning tasks
For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we want God’s honor, we have to do the work associated with humility. There are things we don’t want to do, that we think we shouldn’t have to do. And that’s what God is asking us to do to gain his honor. He wants us to do the work that is helpful but unpleasant. He wants us to accept the unacceptable tasks for the sake of everyone. (Philippians 2:4-5)
Submit to unjust authorities
“Do not resist an evil authority.” Matthew 5:39
One last thing, God insists that we humble ourselves before those who want to show us how important they are by making us crawl. Yes, they are irritating. Yes, they are sooooo wrong. Yes, they have no right to treat us the way they do. But God asks us to submit to it anyway. Why is this? Because God likes to see us humiliated? No. It is because he wants to see in reality who is really righteous. If we rebel against an unjust authority, then the lines of right and wrong are fuzzy. Perhaps we deserved to be punished. But if we submit when we did nothing wrong, then God knows who is right and who is wrong. And who will be ultimately punished. (Matthew 5:38-41; Romans 12:19-21)
Humble yourself and God will honor you.
Essential Christian Poverty
Poverty is a sad commentary on our society. If we were living in a utopia, there would be no poverty. Some have ideas of how poverty could be wiped out, but Jesus said “The poor you will always have with you.” Poverty is not something that is just going away. It is a social disease that will remain with us always.
But Jesus did not always speak of poverty as an evil thing. In fact, one of the main characteristics of those who are going to be rewarded by God is poverty. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in the Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Also, more clearly, Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” In other words, those who desire to have God’s wealth and blessing and salvation will seek poverty in this life.
What is the virtue of Poverty?
But what does this mean? Does it mean that everyone who is a Christian should give up their homes and all their possessions and just live on the street? No. Actually, Jesus was very specific as to the kind of poverty he expected his people to live out:
Not worrying about material needs
“Do not worry, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ For your heavenly Father knows you need these things.” Matthew 6:31,32
Jesus tells us who follow him that we are not to be overly concerned about the things of the life around us. We shouldn’t be concerned about our food and clothing, let alone our health, social station or our quality of life. These are things that we should surrender up to God. God knows about our needs, and he is concerned about them. Because He is concerned, then we need not be. As children, we relied on our parents and didn’t worry about who would pay the bills or get us dinner that night. Our parents took care of us. Even so, God wants us to depend on him in the same way.
Not serving wealth
“No one can serve both God and mammon” Matthew 6:24
In our society, people are desperately seeking money. Most people think that money will solve their problems and make their lives easier. In reality, the way people talk about money, they are looking for money to give them the same salvation that God says He will provide. God says that he will meet our needs and that he will give us satisfaction, and he will do it through a variety of tools—and that money is the least of them. But people think that even God is dependent on money, so rather than looking for God (whom they see as a middleman) they will do whatever they can to make money themselves. But those that just seek money are missing God, the true source of salvation. They will do any number of unethical things, forgetting totally about God, in their pursuit of money. Those that chose money for their salvation are missing God completely.
Not collecting stuff
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” Matthew 6:19
Other people think that if they just had enough stuff they could be satisfied with their lives. So we fill our homes with useless, tacky art and establish holidays whose whole purpose is to give each other more things we simply do not need. Our entertainments continually are convincing us that we need more things, and we pack the stores to gain more and more. But Jesus said that if we are seeking true satisfaction, we will not collect stuff. Stuff on earth, Jesus said, means more stress, more headaches, and more things we need to take care of. More stuff means less satisfaction, less salvation, not more.
Not saving for the future
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34
The middle and upper classes of our society, having their basic needs met for now, then focus their concerns and wealth on providing for their future in this life. They pour money into health insurance, life insurance and retirement. But Jesus said that to do this was a waste of time. No one knows what the future will bring or whether any of us even has a future. He said that the future we need to invest in is not our future on earth, but our future in heaven. We should invest, not in a savings account in a bank, but in heaven.
Focus only on entering God’s kingdom
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these needs will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33
Yes, we want our needs met. We want to be satisfied. We do really need food and clothing. To follow the way of Jesus, Jesus tells us that we should stop looking for money or possessions to fulfill our needs. Rather, we should look to God alone. He is the true provider, and he actually cares about us—as opposed to banks or insurance companies. God will care for us and make sure that our needs are met. But to get him to do this, we must depend on him, and devote ourselves exclusively to Him. He is to be our Lord, and the focus of all of our lives. He is to be our moral guide and will direct us in the things we should do. He alone is worthy to do this, and so we need to fix our eyes on Him.
Surrendering our possessions to God
“None of you can be my disciple who does not give up all of his possessions.” Luke 14:33
Part of what God expects of us is to give him the first say of what we will do with our money and possessions. This doesn’t mean that he is saying that everything we have should be given to the poor (although for some people he will say that). But it does mean that all of our resources—all of our possessions and all of our money—is to be offered up to the Lord for his use. This means that some precious possessions He may take and give it to someone else—perhaps even someone who doesn’t deserve it. But if we have truly given all that we have up to him, it doesn’t matter. All that we own is now His, for his use, for his people, whatever He wants.
Giving away all of our extra
“The one who has two tunics should share with him who has none; and those with food, likewise.” Luke 3:11
In our society, it is easy to have what we really do not need. We have so many extra clothes, food we can’t or won’t eat, and so many other possessions that we just don’t use. The gospel tells us clearly that we are not to just keep such stuff “for a rainy day”, but rather we are to seek out those who could use it and give it to them. We aren’t to sell it, we aren’t to obtain something else in exchange for it—we are just to give it. It is enough that we are providing someone else with what they need, and we are relying on God for what we have.
Giving sacrificially to the needy
“Sell your possessions and give to the needy and you shall have treasure in heaven” Mark 10:21
But the most important thing the Lord asks us to do—the main way to build up our investments in God’s kingdom—is to give to the needy. As Jesus’ people come through town, we are to provide them with food, water and shelter. As we pass the hungry and homeless, we are to do what we can to help them. Yes, this means that we have fewer resource ourselves, but in the end, we will gain much more in God’s kingdom. How does this work? Read on…
Dependence on God
Let’s say that you lived in a small town with an eccentric billionaire (If you are poor and eccentric, you are crazy; If you are rich and crazy you are eccentric.) This billionaire hates the idea that anyone in his town would be living on the streets. Rather than make it illegal to live on the streets, he chose to provide for anyone who lived on the streets in his town. He would pick them up in his limo, he would bring them to his house and have his servants provide for that person. They would eat the best food and live warm and secure until a suitable job and apartment was found for them. Now, lets say that you lived in a squalid studio apartment, with all of your neighbors screaming and the manager hates you. Wouldn’t you rather chose to live on the streets for a short while—living in terrible poverty, so that the eccentric billionaire would care for you? This is the situation we find ourselves in with God. Jesus says that if we live for God in poverty, then God will care for us in a way we cannot even imagine. We will have everything we need and more. Wouldn’t a short period of poverty be worth it?
What do we get out of it?
If we live away from the world’s ways of gaining satisfaction—more stuff, serving money, saving for the future—and instead depend on God for all our needs and do deeds of righteousness with our wealth—giving to the needy and providing for Jesus’ people—then God will make sure our needs are met now, and he will provide for us forever.
Contentment with what God provides
“Godliness with contentment is the means of great wealth.” I Timothy 6:6
First of all, God will give us contentment through his Holy Spirit. If we seek God’s blessing and God’s wealth alone, then we will receive inner peace from him. Suddenly, what we have is sufficient. The things and pleasures God gives us are enough for what we really need. This will take time for the Spirit to do this in us, but to have contentment is one of the best blessings in life. Contentment is something the world cannot provide, nor does it promise it to us—because to be content is to apply a wrecking ball to it’s cardboard structure.
Alternative wealth in this world
“There is no one who has not left family and houses and land for my sake and for the gospel’s but that he will gain more family and houses and land in this world, and in the next, eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
Secondly, Jesus promises that if we accept the poverty that his gospel leads us to, then we will gain much more in this life. This doesn’t mean that checks will suddenly come in the mail and you will be wealthy beyond measure. Rather, it means that God will provide you with a support network that you can depend on. It doesn’t necessarily happen immediately, but God and God’s people will provide for those who surrender everything of this world for the Lord.
Eternal life
“Whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel’s will save it. For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:35, 37
However, the greatest blessing is yet to come. For those who depend on God for His wealth and provision in their lives—all of their lives, while not depending on or waiting on the world—they will gain eternal life. This isn’t just harps in heaven, but it is wealth and honor on earth in God’s kingdom. It is a healthy body living forever with God’s merciful, good people, and having all the wealth that God will provide in the final days. Surely a short time of poverty is worth an eternity of happiness and contentment?
But Jesus did not always speak of poverty as an evil thing. In fact, one of the main characteristics of those who are going to be rewarded by God is poverty. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in the Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Also, more clearly, Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” In other words, those who desire to have God’s wealth and blessing and salvation will seek poverty in this life.
What is the virtue of Poverty?
But what does this mean? Does it mean that everyone who is a Christian should give up their homes and all their possessions and just live on the street? No. Actually, Jesus was very specific as to the kind of poverty he expected his people to live out:
Not worrying about material needs
“Do not worry, saying ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ For your heavenly Father knows you need these things.” Matthew 6:31,32
Jesus tells us who follow him that we are not to be overly concerned about the things of the life around us. We shouldn’t be concerned about our food and clothing, let alone our health, social station or our quality of life. These are things that we should surrender up to God. God knows about our needs, and he is concerned about them. Because He is concerned, then we need not be. As children, we relied on our parents and didn’t worry about who would pay the bills or get us dinner that night. Our parents took care of us. Even so, God wants us to depend on him in the same way.
Not serving wealth
“No one can serve both God and mammon” Matthew 6:24
In our society, people are desperately seeking money. Most people think that money will solve their problems and make their lives easier. In reality, the way people talk about money, they are looking for money to give them the same salvation that God says He will provide. God says that he will meet our needs and that he will give us satisfaction, and he will do it through a variety of tools—and that money is the least of them. But people think that even God is dependent on money, so rather than looking for God (whom they see as a middleman) they will do whatever they can to make money themselves. But those that just seek money are missing God, the true source of salvation. They will do any number of unethical things, forgetting totally about God, in their pursuit of money. Those that chose money for their salvation are missing God completely.
Not collecting stuff
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” Matthew 6:19
Other people think that if they just had enough stuff they could be satisfied with their lives. So we fill our homes with useless, tacky art and establish holidays whose whole purpose is to give each other more things we simply do not need. Our entertainments continually are convincing us that we need more things, and we pack the stores to gain more and more. But Jesus said that if we are seeking true satisfaction, we will not collect stuff. Stuff on earth, Jesus said, means more stress, more headaches, and more things we need to take care of. More stuff means less satisfaction, less salvation, not more.
Not saving for the future
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34
The middle and upper classes of our society, having their basic needs met for now, then focus their concerns and wealth on providing for their future in this life. They pour money into health insurance, life insurance and retirement. But Jesus said that to do this was a waste of time. No one knows what the future will bring or whether any of us even has a future. He said that the future we need to invest in is not our future on earth, but our future in heaven. We should invest, not in a savings account in a bank, but in heaven.
Focus only on entering God’s kingdom
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these needs will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:33
Yes, we want our needs met. We want to be satisfied. We do really need food and clothing. To follow the way of Jesus, Jesus tells us that we should stop looking for money or possessions to fulfill our needs. Rather, we should look to God alone. He is the true provider, and he actually cares about us—as opposed to banks or insurance companies. God will care for us and make sure that our needs are met. But to get him to do this, we must depend on him, and devote ourselves exclusively to Him. He is to be our Lord, and the focus of all of our lives. He is to be our moral guide and will direct us in the things we should do. He alone is worthy to do this, and so we need to fix our eyes on Him.
Surrendering our possessions to God
“None of you can be my disciple who does not give up all of his possessions.” Luke 14:33
Part of what God expects of us is to give him the first say of what we will do with our money and possessions. This doesn’t mean that he is saying that everything we have should be given to the poor (although for some people he will say that). But it does mean that all of our resources—all of our possessions and all of our money—is to be offered up to the Lord for his use. This means that some precious possessions He may take and give it to someone else—perhaps even someone who doesn’t deserve it. But if we have truly given all that we have up to him, it doesn’t matter. All that we own is now His, for his use, for his people, whatever He wants.
Giving away all of our extra
“The one who has two tunics should share with him who has none; and those with food, likewise.” Luke 3:11
In our society, it is easy to have what we really do not need. We have so many extra clothes, food we can’t or won’t eat, and so many other possessions that we just don’t use. The gospel tells us clearly that we are not to just keep such stuff “for a rainy day”, but rather we are to seek out those who could use it and give it to them. We aren’t to sell it, we aren’t to obtain something else in exchange for it—we are just to give it. It is enough that we are providing someone else with what they need, and we are relying on God for what we have.
Giving sacrificially to the needy
“Sell your possessions and give to the needy and you shall have treasure in heaven” Mark 10:21
But the most important thing the Lord asks us to do—the main way to build up our investments in God’s kingdom—is to give to the needy. As Jesus’ people come through town, we are to provide them with food, water and shelter. As we pass the hungry and homeless, we are to do what we can to help them. Yes, this means that we have fewer resource ourselves, but in the end, we will gain much more in God’s kingdom. How does this work? Read on…
Dependence on God
Let’s say that you lived in a small town with an eccentric billionaire (If you are poor and eccentric, you are crazy; If you are rich and crazy you are eccentric.) This billionaire hates the idea that anyone in his town would be living on the streets. Rather than make it illegal to live on the streets, he chose to provide for anyone who lived on the streets in his town. He would pick them up in his limo, he would bring them to his house and have his servants provide for that person. They would eat the best food and live warm and secure until a suitable job and apartment was found for them. Now, lets say that you lived in a squalid studio apartment, with all of your neighbors screaming and the manager hates you. Wouldn’t you rather chose to live on the streets for a short while—living in terrible poverty, so that the eccentric billionaire would care for you? This is the situation we find ourselves in with God. Jesus says that if we live for God in poverty, then God will care for us in a way we cannot even imagine. We will have everything we need and more. Wouldn’t a short period of poverty be worth it?
What do we get out of it?
If we live away from the world’s ways of gaining satisfaction—more stuff, serving money, saving for the future—and instead depend on God for all our needs and do deeds of righteousness with our wealth—giving to the needy and providing for Jesus’ people—then God will make sure our needs are met now, and he will provide for us forever.
Contentment with what God provides
“Godliness with contentment is the means of great wealth.” I Timothy 6:6
First of all, God will give us contentment through his Holy Spirit. If we seek God’s blessing and God’s wealth alone, then we will receive inner peace from him. Suddenly, what we have is sufficient. The things and pleasures God gives us are enough for what we really need. This will take time for the Spirit to do this in us, but to have contentment is one of the best blessings in life. Contentment is something the world cannot provide, nor does it promise it to us—because to be content is to apply a wrecking ball to it’s cardboard structure.
Alternative wealth in this world
“There is no one who has not left family and houses and land for my sake and for the gospel’s but that he will gain more family and houses and land in this world, and in the next, eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
Secondly, Jesus promises that if we accept the poverty that his gospel leads us to, then we will gain much more in this life. This doesn’t mean that checks will suddenly come in the mail and you will be wealthy beyond measure. Rather, it means that God will provide you with a support network that you can depend on. It doesn’t necessarily happen immediately, but God and God’s people will provide for those who surrender everything of this world for the Lord.
Eternal life
“Whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel’s will save it. For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:35, 37
However, the greatest blessing is yet to come. For those who depend on God for His wealth and provision in their lives—all of their lives, while not depending on or waiting on the world—they will gain eternal life. This isn’t just harps in heaven, but it is wealth and honor on earth in God’s kingdom. It is a healthy body living forever with God’s merciful, good people, and having all the wealth that God will provide in the final days. Surely a short time of poverty is worth an eternity of happiness and contentment?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)