Abased in the humbleness of mind,

Humility

Abased, is one of the attribute that most people do not possess, because all have grown up with so much insecurity; that all tend to allow ones ego and pride get in the way. All have had the mentality of thinking that all are ruthless and relentlessly unhappy with everyone else. So, most therefore take on the concept of always looking out for number one, not allowing anyone to infiltrate in any bounds; this is what separates us from all others.

What it really amounts to, is that most don’t even care for ones own well being let alone the well being of others. With the persona of: "Its me against the world, everyone is therefore my enemy. You step on my toes I will retaliate even more harshly, and you are not going to like it at all, let alone become my friend for that matter. I don’t need anyone to tell me how to live my life, its my life and I will live it as I wish and by own will and no one else." So, I ask does this sound somewhat familiar to a certain point? Well, it should, because everyone has been there, or perhaps some of us still struggle with it in more areas than one.

Now that we don’t belong to ourselves, but belong to God, we need to allow the changes [spiritual changes] overcome what we are so used to being like. I know that its hard, its been hard for me, and I know for a fact that its hard for everyone. The dividing difference is that some of us will openly admit to it without hesitating, and that is a very good thing. This is that dividing line between those who are willing to do what is right, and those who wish not to allow God’s will into their lives. We all know what we have to do!

To begin, and before I start to speak of our Lord Jesus Christ, please allow me to speak about another man who was great in the eyes of God, and that man was Abraham the friend of God. The Apostle Paul speaks very clearly on this subject as an example for them as well as for us. He mentions Abraham because he is speaking to the Romans about faith, and in the time of Abraham there was no one greater than he. His faith is seen by his attitudes, his calmness, his love for God through his humility, the humbleness of his mind. Therefore Abrahams faith is imputed to him for righteousness [his works](Ro.4:20)He did not waver at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strengthen in faith, giving glory to God. We can all easily say with ease that it was easy for them to relate to God, because who they were, and that they did not have as bad as a society that we have now days. Only, lets not be so ignorant; because society in the minds of men, has always been the same throughout the centuries, decades, and years. It all comes from the evil mentality of man; as I said, that we all are taught this from the very beginning: its in the minds of man, where darkness lingers.

There is a reason as to why our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told his disciples and multitudes in the gospel of Matthew pertaining to evil examples and good doctrine that lingers in this world. He is giving sound advise when he spoke of good doctrine, and evil examples, of the scribes and Pharisees (Ma.23:11,12)but he who is great among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who is humble will be exalted. I’m sure that he meant this passage for them; because of the way they posed themselves, high and mighty! This passage goes very well with what king Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs which speak of moral virtues, and their contrary vices, (Pr.15:33)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility. (Pr.1:7)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pr.18:12)Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility. (Pr.3:34)Surly He scorns the scornful, but He gives grace to the humble. What we are being taught here is that we need to get rid of our own will, and abide to the will of God. There is so much in-store for us to consider loosing if we continue the wrong path of self indulgence. To sum it up in plain words, if there is someone who is far more intellectual in a certian area of expertise, and gives good and sound advise, don’t we seek after it, and I’m speak of the worldly advise. So, how hard is it for us to heed to what we are being taught in the word of God; which is far better wiser advise than what this world has too offer!

In the book of James we have something a bit more sound and spiritual, as it make a lot of sense to what this lesson is all about, (Ja.4:5-7)Or do you think the scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously? But he give more grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. On this percept King David sums it up quite clearly (Ps.138:6)Though the Lord is on high, yet he regards the lowly; but the proud he knows from afar. If the people think that we can fool our Father we need to think again on this idea, because in doing so we are only fooling ourselves!.

In connection to what we have been reading, we have the Apostle Peter speaking to all Christians in general, writing that the elders need to feed the flock and for the young to obey, and for all to be submissive to one another (1Pe.5:5-9). In another passage we have what the prophet Isaiah wrote on this percept (Is.57:15)For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with whom has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. As we can see that its quite obvious that we can not do this on our own, but by the assistance, approval, and acceptance Of God. The Apostle Paul who is a well learned man of the Jewish religion knows off hand what God expects from each and everyone that belong to him. So, he wrote to the Ephesians with strong emphasis; that submitting to one another does lead us to humility, because we do it in obedience to the will of God, we do it for compassion and love for one another; we therefore have to humbled ourselves to His will, (Ep.5:21)submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord. (Ph.2:3)Let nothing be done through selfish ambitions or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

So far, what we have read is the fact that we need God in our lives in order to succeed in the spiritual life that God has so gracefully given to those who so seek Him truthfully. As the Apostle Paul once wrote; I plated, and Apollo watered, but God gives the increase. With this being made known one can not assume that we can do what ever we want to anymore, but abide to the will of God. As I said before we all tend to have the mentality that we just don’t need; we need to know what to do, how to behave, how to speak, or even how to react when we are being corrected for that matter. When we are being corrected we all tend to become belligerent especially when we know that we have been caught in the act of not being right in every possible way known to man.

///////On this subject of percept we always allow our to pride get in the way, and we know just how God feels about the proud. Well, lets see what King Solomon speaks on this (Pr.29:23)A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. As an example of what is meant of pride we read what the prophet Daniel wrote about King Nebuchadnezzar (Da.4:30)The king spoke, saying, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for honor of my majesty? He not only is very proud of himself, but is completely self righteous. Another example about another king is king Herod’s pride which is found in the book of Acts; whom sought out the peoples , or rather the Jews favor for persecuting the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter whom is let free by an angel of God, and later Herod Is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably (Acts12:22,23)And the people kept shouting, the voice of a god and not of a man! Then immediately and angle of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

I will say this, there were many who defied God and lost their lives for it. These are only two of the examples that I will bring up for us to know that we can not, and must not defy God in any form. We do not want to land in the hands of the living God, Woe to all who do! (He.10:26-31) This is why we need to hold fast to our faith with patience and thanksgiving.

Our Lord Jesus Christ often spoke in terms of how we are humbled, or anyone for that matter. I n fact, he always spoke to the people in parables, especially towards the Pharisee and publicans (Lk.18:9-14). If we are to look at the entire picture we would see that we would find ourselves at that persona at one time or another. We being children of God must not act this way, behave in such manner, or render ourselves to this world in such portrayals. This is not becoming in the eyes of God as we have seen from passage that we have read thus far. Another man that we need to reckon with is Job, and I’m sure that we all know his story, but for now I wish to speak in terms of what a certain Prophet named Eliphaz came to him in reproof: as he shows Job; that the goodness of man does not profit God [goodness of man without God], and accuses Job of diver sins, and therefore exhorts him to repentance, with promises of mercy, (Job22:21-29). The book of Job is a powerful book that we all need to reckon with as it teaches us everything that he went though so that we might not have too.

Speaking of what Job suffered, the Apostle Paul is also in concurrence, or rather in acceptance to his suffering to be humbled by God. He too gives a wide and broad examples for us to see all, and what we can expect to come. This of course takes a lot of self discipline with the help of God’s will and His word. Paul spoke very highly of the Philippians; he had great joy at their liberality of always attending to his needs. Yet he expressed to them that he already knew how to deal with what ever came at him (Phil.4:12)I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. The Apostle Paul also teaches us that as they were spectacles of the world we too will be the same, (1Co.4:11-14)To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten and homeless. And we labor, working with our hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now. I do not write these thing to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. He also teaches us how and what he has gone through by way of example (2Co.6:4-10; 11:23-28).

Lets face it there is no other man that has lived in this God forsaken world like Jesus Christ, and the prime example that he gave when he was before the Jewish leaders and priests, [Caiaphas the high priest] (Ma.26:67)Then they spat in his face and beat him; and other struck him with palms of their hands. And they even mocked him by questioning the power of God (Ma.26:68)saying who is the one who struck you. Yet he just stood there and said nothing, no guile, no hatred, no nothing and forgave them all by saying what he at the cross, (Lk.23:34)Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Here we have Jesus Christ our Savior the perfect example of just how humble ourselves, how to be abased in the humbleness of mind, show humility.

In regard to all that our Lord went through it has become a huge course for us to follow, and to be ready, always being in the state of preparedness, so we too can speak the same line that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans (Ro.8:35-37)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. I myself have often asked myself why do I do the thing that I do, in which t pushes me to hate myself to a disgusting point. The only solution that I know for a fact is that we will always go through so much; the battles with in ourselves, to strength us and help us persevere in what God has in store for us. Yet, we must always remember never to do something that will anger God to point that he will not forgive us and we loose sight of who we truly are. Meaning we will loose everything for this miserable world that offers nothing, (He.6:4-6)For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put him to an open shame. Last but not least we have what the Apostle Peter said to all Christians in general; when it came for anyone to loose sight of where they are supposed to be (2Pe.2:20-22).

The bottom line is that we have to try even harder to do the right thing for our own salvation, and if found guilty of anything we need to repent before its to late (Ja.4:17)Therefore, to him who knows o do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Woe to all who defy our Father which is in heaven. I therefore urge us all to better our relationship among each other and forgive one another for our own good and most importantly for our Father [God] pleasure. After all, He did forgive us first, and He first loved us. If our Father can be the one and only God; who has humbled Himself to do everything for us, what is stopping us from doing the same to the next person. Most importantly the spiritual family of God. Lets consider this are we better than anyone else, no we are not: remember that we are all sinners to God and that there is no righteous before the eyes of God. So, lets abase ourselves to live in peace with everyone, but more importantly our true family. May God keep and bless for all eternity.