UNITY THROUGH HUMILITY AND THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (4)
by Tim Melton
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
This content is part of a series.
Unity Through Humility and the Example of Christ (4)
Series: Philippians
Tim Melton
Philippians 2:1-11
Pride is often present in the heart of man. It seems a natural fit as the world pursues image, power, and success. But when we look at the Bible we see that God desires something totally different for those who follow Christ. In the book of James we are called to humility. This is essential if one is to draw near to Christ.
James 4:6-8,10 tells us that, ''God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'' 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. . . 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Author W.W. Wiersbe tells how this phrase ''submit yourselves to God'' was a military phrase that meant ''get into your proper rank.'' Literally, ''know your place.'' When a private acts like a colonel or a captain like a general there will be problems.
In the same way when we, as children of God, want to be the lord of our own lives, or take the credit for things that God has brought to pass in our lives, or think too highly of ourselves, pride has taken root. At this point our spiritual growth will be brought to a halt and the soil of our hearts will not bear fruit.
In the words of Andrew Murray,
''Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; (since our dependence on God is the source of our deliverance) the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.''
In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul is calling the Philippians to unity within the church. It seems to have been a somewhat healthy church, but many times when a church is filled with passionate believers with strong convictions, the environment can become more abrasive in the name of ...
Series: Philippians
Tim Melton
Philippians 2:1-11
Pride is often present in the heart of man. It seems a natural fit as the world pursues image, power, and success. But when we look at the Bible we see that God desires something totally different for those who follow Christ. In the book of James we are called to humility. This is essential if one is to draw near to Christ.
James 4:6-8,10 tells us that, ''God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'' 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. . . 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Author W.W. Wiersbe tells how this phrase ''submit yourselves to God'' was a military phrase that meant ''get into your proper rank.'' Literally, ''know your place.'' When a private acts like a colonel or a captain like a general there will be problems.
In the same way when we, as children of God, want to be the lord of our own lives, or take the credit for things that God has brought to pass in our lives, or think too highly of ourselves, pride has taken root. At this point our spiritual growth will be brought to a halt and the soil of our hearts will not bear fruit.
In the words of Andrew Murray,
''Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; (since our dependence on God is the source of our deliverance) the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.''
In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul is calling the Philippians to unity within the church. It seems to have been a somewhat healthy church, but many times when a church is filled with passionate believers with strong convictions, the environment can become more abrasive in the name of ...
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