Humility's Affect!

Pride has a way of limiting effectiveness in life. Sometimes it drives others away. Other times it affects one’s own ability to properly perceive self or the truth that can bring proper changes to life. Being too presumptuous about self puts one in a dangerous position. Such was the case with many of the Jewish leaders at the time of Christ and during the time John the Baptist was preparing the way for His ministry. These leaders were in need of humbling themselves in order to rightly see where they were and what they needed to become in order to bear the kind of FRUIT in their life God desired.

Note the rebuke of John the Baptist.
“(7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (8) BEAR FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE. (9) And DO NOT PRESUME TO SAY TO YOURSELVES, ‘WE HAVE ABRAHAM AS OUR FATHER,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. (10) Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. EVERY TREE therefore that does NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT is CUT DOWN and THROWN INTO THE FIRE.’” ( Matthew 3:7-10 ESV)

They presumed a right standing based on their ancestry to Abraham, but what was their relationship to God? In their pride they had too high an estimation of themselves and needed to humble themselves before God in order to be FRUITFUL in accordance with true righteousness.

Someone has said, “The branches that bear the most fruit hang the lowest.” [source: list of sentence sermons] These leaders, viewing themselves as lofty branches in their society, had their heads in the clouds when what they needed was to be grounded in a humble relationship with God. In their arrogance they stood in danger of being cut down by God.

Paul, writing to the church at Rome, exhorted.
“(20) When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. (21) But WHAT FRUIT WERE YOU GETTING AT THAT TIME from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. (22) But NOW that you have been SET FREE FROM SIN and HAVE BECOME SLAVES OF GOD, THE FRUIT YOU GET LEADS TO SANCTIFICATION AND its end, ETERNAL LIFE.” ( Romans 6:20-22 ESV)

If we fail to properly humble ourselves before God we will miss the ultimate FRUIT He desires to be associated with our life. As we truly humble ourselves before Him, trusting in Him and accepting the guidance He provides, we will find the provision that will make us effective and FRUITFUL in the knowledge of our Lord. ( 2 Peter 1:8) May we continually maintain a proper humility toward God so that He will bring the FRUITFULNESS He desires.

Have a great day SUBMISSIVE TO SERVING GOD’S PURPOSES!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Humility