Sometimes we forget that the example of Jesus Christ teaches us how to be strong men that are full of wisdom, character, and confidence. Every detail that we know about Christ from God’s Word will lead us down the path to being the best human being that we can possibly be. Trusting this truth is difficult for some of us, because our minds are sometimes consumed with other things, but the times are urgent and we’ve got to get down to business. It’s important for our own well-being, and it’s crucial to the lives that we will influence as we grow older and more mature in God’s Word. Romans 8:7 (NIV) says, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” So, when we ask ourselves the question, “what is a mind governed by the flesh?” The answer is that it is a mind that is not focused on the welfare of the soul, isn’t concerned with eternity, and will not seek the favor of God. It is a mind that does not trust or fully believe the truth.
God tells us in Proverbs 16:25(NLT), “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Heavenly Father has laid a path before every individual, but we don’t always walk down it. We hear of cases all the time where a person ends up in a profession that they never dreamed they’d choose, or a situation in which everything in a person’s life points in one direction, yet they end up going completely opposite. You may know someone, for instance, that may have been born in a family of bankers, but felt compelled be a baker. God has placed destiny within all of us, and our lives will not progress and thrive optimally without walking in destiny’s path.
We are often thrown off that path by listening to everyone except the voice of God. Society admires and holds to standards that are very often completely opposite of those in God’s Word. It is extremely important for us to understand how different the two standards are, because our very lives depend on it. Society can be very unforgiving, but God wants us to know that no matter how far we’ve strayed away from the path, we can seek His forgiveness and get back on it. This takes humility on our part, and humility is extremely important to our Heavenly Father. James 4:6 (NLT) tells us, “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””
2Corinthians 4:4 tells us that satan, the god of this world, has blinded the minds of people that don’t believe in Jesus Christ. They are unable to see the glory in the gospel, and don’t understand the message of his glory. The bible teaches us that there are demons that are attached to some people, and these demons keep them blinded from spiritual things. This happens to people because they are not mindful of the things of God. Some of us brothers are not serious about God, but only playing the part for personal gain. 1Titus 6:5 (NLT) tells us that a person with a mindset like this is nothing but trouble. It says, “To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.”
God does not tiptoe around the subject of what He requires from us. He requires that we be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He demands that we change our lifestyles, that we take off the old way of thinking, speaking, and acting; and put on the new person that He’s made us through Jesus Christ. In Deuteronomy 5:33, God told those living in Old Testament times to stay on the path that He commanded them to follow, so that they would live and be well, and their days would be prolonged. He has not changed. This is what He desires for us living today. 1John 2:6(NLT) tells us, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” As Christians, this should be our prime motivation, to live with the love, wisdom, and humility of Christ.
During the last days of Jesus Christ on earth, Mark 11 tells us that he went to Jerusalem, and came to the town of Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus had many enemies, but he didn’t come into the city undercover. Jesus Christ knew the suffering that he would have to endure. He was well aware of the cross, the ultimate death of humiliation that was ahead of him, yet, he was not lowly and sad. He demonstrated for the disciples and us that when we walk in the authority of the gospel of Christ, we can be confident and courageous.
Understand that authority does not equate in any way to arrogance. This is a mistake we sometimes make. Arrogance and pride makes us inflexible to God’s Will, and we cannot please Him when those things are in our hearts. We must be humble like Christ. He rode into Bethany on a donkey. There he was, the Prince of Peace, our Lord, Master, Redeemer, and Savior. He did not have a gold chariot encrusted with rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. He deserves riches and every luxury in the universe, but he borrowed a donkey to ride into town and be amongst those he loved and wanted to help. He knew who he was and what he came to do, but he showed extreme humility and lowered himself to such a level for us.
The example of the humility of Christ has no equal. It is what we are commanded to aspire to. Ephesians 4:2 tells us to always be humble and gentle. This is exactly the opposite of what society teaches, but we are commanded not to be conformed to this world. We must be transformed by changing our minds to think like Christ, and changing our hearts to love like him. We must do our utmost to wear his humility, so that we are anchored in God, and prepared for the path He has destined us to walk. ■
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“God’s Instruction Concerning Humility” written by JMack. 4theChristianMan.Com© 2018. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.