"What hinders us from following Christ is thinking we have a right to something" - Jeff Lewis
For the last week the Lord has been constantly reminding me of the quote above. Countless times I live my life expecting so many different things because I have this sense of entitlement. The word of God clearly is not about getting what I deserve, but giving to God what He deserves - EVERYTHING!
I am so convicted as of late that I have been living in such a prideful manner that expects so many blessings.
This scripture has been so encouraging to me:
[2:1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:1-11 ESV)
If I claim to follow Christ, I must follow His attitude of humility. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation and is humble enough to wash the disciples feet and die on a cross.
I pray that you begin to examine your life. You may not be prideful in speech, but how many times do you boast in yourself in your mind?
God reminded me of humility when my grandfather suffered a stroke this past Saturday. It was devastating to hear that his right side was paralyzed. Paige writes about the incident much better than I can, but words really cannot express the anguish in my soul when I heard of his stroke.
Praise God that he has made such a speedy recovery and will most likely leave the hospital today!
You will either learn humility or be humiliated.
Submit to God.
The Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
