Colossians 3:12 (CSB)
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
We are told of the qualities we need to possess to lead the Christian life; along with humility is compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. We are also told, that as one of God’s holy chosen ones, that God loves us dearly.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (CSB)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
James 4:10 (CSB)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
The dictionary gives the meaning of the word exalt as:
- Think or speak very highly of (someone or something).
- Raise to a higher rank or position.
We see, as we read the above scriptures, there are great blessings to come at the proper time by being humble before God.
God wants us to stop following the world, with all its sins, and to trust Him. He will exalt us at the proper time. We are not to try and get the glory for ourselves but to give all the glory to God.
Proverbs 15:33 (CSB)
The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.
Psalm 25:9 (CSB)
He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Luke 14:11 (CSB)
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
James 4:6 (CSB)
But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
James was giving a grim warning in chapter 4 of the Book of James, to Christians! He could see how some of them were living by the wisdom of the world and how they were even fighting amongst themselves.
We must humble ourselves before God, repent of being self-reliant and living as the world lives, and we should trust God to provide. When we humble ourselves and repent, we receive God’s grace.
Proverbs 3:34 (CSB)
He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.
What does it mean to receive God’s grace?
God is merciful and gracious. The biblical meaning of the word grace is as follows; it is the unmerited favour of God toward man. If we love God and trust Him, rely on Him and are humble before Him, then we will experience the grace of God.
The greatest gift of God, given to us, is His son Jesus Christ, in whom we believe and are saved.
Ephesians 2:8 (CSB)
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.
Before you can be blessed with the grace of God, you need to get rid of pride and arrogance and have fear of God (respect of God). You need to come humbly before God and He will lift you up.
Micah 6:8 (CSB)
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
Onward Christian Soldiers 