Good morning -
It would make for an unusual bumper sticker or T-shirt slogan: "Proud To Be Humble". Humility is a prized quality in the eyes of the Father while pride is the pathway to ruin.
Ezekiel twenty-eight contains a pronouncement of judgment on the ancient king of Tyre. There is puzzling description of the king, however, that seems to supersede this human ruler:
Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you ... 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God ... You were on the holy mountain of God ... You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor." (Ezekiel 28:3,12,13,14,15,17)
Whether this description applies solely to the king of Tyre or beyond, the lesson is obvious and important: pride goes before a fall. As the writer of Proverbs was inspired to write, "A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor." (Proverbs 29:23).
We'll not likely read about it in any book about leadership, but humility is truly the characteristic of an effective leader. Concerning Moses, one of the greatest leaders of all time, it is written: "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3).
Perhaps the most absurd statement about leadership through humility, according to the standard of the world, was uttered by Jesus our Lord: "whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all." Mark 10:43-44). The way up is down; leadership is servant hood.
The tricky thing about humility is that it is such an elusive quality. As surely as we think we have achieved it we realize that we haven't. It's impossible to take pride in humility.
Perhaps no quality is so descriptive of Kingdom citizens as humility. Colossians 3:12 says, "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". The world will see the power and reality of the Kingdom when they see the body of Christ lovingly and humbly connected to each other. The example of the community of believers will give testimony to the validity of our message.
Seeking to be put down so that Christ and the Kingdom can be raised up,
Pastor Steve
It would make for an unusual bumper sticker or T-shirt slogan: "Proud To Be Humble". Humility is a prized quality in the eyes of the Father while pride is the pathway to ruin.
Ezekiel twenty-eight contains a pronouncement of judgment on the ancient king of Tyre. There is puzzling description of the king, however, that seems to supersede this human ruler:
Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you ... 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God ... You were on the holy mountain of God ... You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor." (Ezekiel 28:3,12,13,14,15,17)
Whether this description applies solely to the king of Tyre or beyond, the lesson is obvious and important: pride goes before a fall. As the writer of Proverbs was inspired to write, "A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor." (Proverbs 29:23).
We'll not likely read about it in any book about leadership, but humility is truly the characteristic of an effective leader. Concerning Moses, one of the greatest leaders of all time, it is written: "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3).
Perhaps the most absurd statement about leadership through humility, according to the standard of the world, was uttered by Jesus our Lord: "whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all." Mark 10:43-44). The way up is down; leadership is servant hood.
The tricky thing about humility is that it is such an elusive quality. As surely as we think we have achieved it we realize that we haven't. It's impossible to take pride in humility.
Perhaps no quality is so descriptive of Kingdom citizens as humility. Colossians 3:12 says, "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". The world will see the power and reality of the Kingdom when they see the body of Christ lovingly and humbly connected to each other. The example of the community of believers will give testimony to the validity of our message.
Seeking to be put down so that Christ and the Kingdom can be raised up,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:08 AM
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