LIFESTYLE OF HUMILITY FOR IMPACT (2)

“…and be clothed with HUMILITY, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” – 1 Peter 5:5b

Believers in Christ must not only embrace the attitude but also manifest the LIFESTYLE of HUMILITY for IMPACT: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but GIVES GRACE to the HUMBLE” (1 Pet.5:5). The young are instructed to submit to their elders and all believers to be clothed with humility toward one another. This mutual submission reflects a recognition of each person’s place within the community and a willingness to learn from one another, all targeted at God-glorifying Impact.

Let’s examine four key points from today’s meditation text:

Be clothed with humility: The term “clothed” denotes a scarf or apron that was typically worn by servants. So, humility infers Service; but not eye-service! Also, servanthood is not synonymous with servitude. In a bid to appear humble, we’re not meant to try to please everyone else or to meet all of their expectations at the detriment of God’s Will. We’re not to conform to everybody’s wishes. What is demanded is for us to be who God called us to be, and to serve others as the opportunity arises.

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble! Thus, humility is beneficial to the humble. Humility is putting others first: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom.12:3). Humility is for each of us to know our place as a member of the Body of Christ and bloom therein. Humility is not just an attitude but also a way of life that leads to service. By humbling ourselves, we who believe are freed to serve others, reflecting Christ’s example of sacrifice and service.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God! This recognizes His sovereignty; relying on His strength. The act of humility acknowledges that true strength and exaltation come from God, not from self-reliance or pride! God’s “mighty hand” signifies two things: His hand of discipline and deliverance. And we need both. Humility then infers that in submitting to God’s discipline, we’ll experience His deliverance always. And beyond deliverance, exaltation, elevation or promotion “in due time”!

Casting all your care on Him! The idea of casting all anxieties on God addresses one of humanity’s core concerns: that if we don’t look out for ourselves, no one else will. But if we really believe God “cares” for us why worry about serving our own interest? It’s humility to admit that we cannot meet all of our own needs all by ourself: We need God and other destiny-helpers!