Tag Archives: humility

December 1
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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”   (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, NIV)
Excellence, discipline, and humility.
We admire these three qualities in any athlete.  Likewise, these three qualities together are essential for faithful discipleship.
Are we living our lives — every hour of every day — “in such a way as to get the prize,” which is life in all of its fullness and length?  Are we engaged in the private, hidden, work of “training”– in the words of Paul to his protege Timothy: “to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”?  (2 Timothy 2:15)
Paul’s words remind us to aspire to excellence in all that we do.  He reminds us to adopt the discipline of “strict training” so that we will be prepared for any of the so-called surprises of life, and fit to finish the course.  He reminds us to be humble, lest we ourselves are disqualified as the price of our pride.
Excellence + Discipline + Humility = Faithful discipleship.  – Luther
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November 28
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“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, NIV)

Deeds done in humility are particularly fragrant because the person performing the deed is not doing it to draw attention to herself.  Wisely, she sees a higher purpose and a bigger plan in play.

The greatest deeds, by God’s estimation, are performed in obscurity; the left hand unaware of what the right hand has done.  The greatest deeds provide help to the helpless; hope to the hopeless; and empower the disenfranchised.

Everyone — regardless of title or status — can live a life of humble service to others and to God.  Make this your ambition.  With wisdom comes humility.  – Luther

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September 28
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“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.  Each one should test their own actions.  Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”  (Galatians 6:3-5, NIV)

Today’s scripture warns us against self-deception, pretense, and the perils of comparing ourselves against others.

Elevating ourselves at the expense of others is easy: We can always find someone else less virtuous, less compassionate, less generous, less devout, and less holy than we.

However, God doesn’t grade on the curve.  Jesus is the hard standard for divine judgment.  All other standards are either false or deceptive.  How do we compare when measured against Christ (which is a practical translation of what it means to be “Christian”)?

When we think we are something we are not, we act in accordance with our deception and are, in effect, pretenders.

Exhibit moral courage!  Always regard yourself as your Heavenly Father does, and live-up only to His standard.  Then, you will have no fear of being uncovered as a plagiarist, a pretender, or a prideful poacher.  – Luther

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