The ultimate surprise of God's wisdom is that it outfoxes our own intuitive formulas for success. Proverbs 26:12 says, "Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Simply put, pride feels smart but is ultimately foolish. Pride goes for the fall and this is so because in selfishness and impatience our pride always overreaches. Pride even brings about early judgment, because it scorns the saving Word of God. In direct contrast with the prideful man is the one that walks in constant humility. They may be highly talented people but they are also teachable.
The theme of humility before honor opens up the heart of the gospel. Jesus walked this path - first the cross, then the crown - and now He is giving us the opportunity to follow him there. Though sometimes, when we are bearing the cross of humility, it can be seriously heavy. That is when we can remember that the crown of honor is coming to us just as surely as it came to Jesus himself.
One way we can walk in humility together is to regularly confess our sins to one another. I urge you if you don't have a friend to hold you accountable, find one. Ask God to direct you to the person that can help you in this area and I promise that He will. It takes a level of openness that at times can be quite uncomfortable but I assure you it is rewarding. As it says in Proverbs 28:13, "Whoever conceals his transgression will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." And James goes on to say in Chapter 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." I promise when we humble ourselves in front of another person, rather than attempt to save face, we can humbly own up to our sins, because God has justified us by His grace as a gift. The true curse of the law's condemnation fell not on us but on Christ when He was placed upon the cross.
Now, we are free to be honest with God and with one another about what our problems are. Rather than walk in the darkness of judgement we can walk in the light of the gospel and experience renewed fellowship and a fresh cleansing. As it says in 1st John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
The theme of humility before honor opens up the heart of the gospel. Jesus walked this path - first the cross, then the crown - and now He is giving us the opportunity to follow him there. Though sometimes, when we are bearing the cross of humility, it can be seriously heavy. That is when we can remember that the crown of honor is coming to us just as surely as it came to Jesus himself.
One way we can walk in humility together is to regularly confess our sins to one another. I urge you if you don't have a friend to hold you accountable, find one. Ask God to direct you to the person that can help you in this area and I promise that He will. It takes a level of openness that at times can be quite uncomfortable but I assure you it is rewarding. As it says in Proverbs 28:13, "Whoever conceals his transgression will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." And James goes on to say in Chapter 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." I promise when we humble ourselves in front of another person, rather than attempt to save face, we can humbly own up to our sins, because God has justified us by His grace as a gift. The true curse of the law's condemnation fell not on us but on Christ when He was placed upon the cross.
Now, we are free to be honest with God and with one another about what our problems are. Rather than walk in the darkness of judgement we can walk in the light of the gospel and experience renewed fellowship and a fresh cleansing. As it says in 1st John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
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