What to Wear as a Child of God: Humility
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
It’s always risky to write about humility. After all, to claim any expertise on humility is to negate any claim I might have to being humble.We do know, though, that the Father and Jesus himself, as well as Peter, Paul and James, repeatedly admonished us to humble ourselves, or God will need to do it for us.
So, to avert any such action by the Lord, I will let Scripture be our teacher.
From the Father:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.(2 Chronicles 7:14)
When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance….” (Chronicles 12:7)
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)
From Jesus:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29)
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
From Paul:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (Romans 12:3)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
From James:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
From Peter:
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:6)
My husband has often said, “I don’t want God as my enemy (opposing me), so I will seek to keep on humbling myself.”
These reminders tend to put me on my face before Him, claiming mercy and grace.
What about you? Where are you in your journey toward humility?
C2016 Judy Douglass
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Related post:
https://www.judydouglass.com/2016/02/what-to-wear-to-a-memorial-service-and-with-god/