GOT HUMILITY? CHECK UP TIME

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs." Matthew 5:3 (CSB)

We saw yesterday that Jesus begins to help us understand how to be really blessed by telling us that we must realize our need for God. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary taught us “To be poor in spirit is not to lack courage but to acknowledge spiritual bankruptcy. It confesses one’s unworthiness before God and utter dependence on him.”

So, how are we to develop the attitude that Jesus calls us to? It is not by our own effort. It is not by who we are, or what we are, or where we are. It has to come entirely by God and Him alone. If we are to have utter dependence upon God, we must realize that we are spiritually bankrupt and totally incapable of becoming right with God. It takes true humility on our part to achieve this state.

Humility.  It cures worldliness. Be careful – as soon as you tell someone that you have it – you lost it. How can we define this state? Consider these concepts: to make low, bring low, to humble or abase myself by humble living, to have a modest opinion of one's self, to behave in an unassuming manner, to be devoid of all haughtiness.

Okay. So, how does this happen in my life?

God gives a picture of the way to win this battle in James 4: 7 -10.

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door! ¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

In the annals of US advertising history, one of the most efficient slogans ever is the California milk producers’ two-word question, “Got milk?” With that phrase, the group captured almost everyone’s attention. In surveys, the slogan was recognized by more than 90 percent of the people polled.

If “Got milk?” is so good at reminding people to drink “cow juice,” perhaps we can create some two-word slogans to remind how we can win the battle!

·      Give in! Verse 7 tells us to submit to God. Our sovereign God loves us, so why not let Him run the show? Submission helps us resist the devil.

·      Get close! Verse 8 reminds us of the value of drawing near to God. It’s up to us to close the gap between God and us.

·      Clean up! Verse 8 also reminds us to make sure our hearts are clean. That happens through confessing our sins to God.

·      Get down! James says we need to be humble before God (v.10). That includes viewing our sin as something to weep over.

Give in! Get close! Clean up! Get down! These pairs of words may not look as good on a T-shirt as “Got milk?” But they sure will look good on us. Try wearing these slogans in your life today. And Jesus says we will be blessed.