6-2-2023

Good Morning All,

   1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

    It struck me as I was working on next Sunday’s sermon that many websites were touting “Pride month.” Apparently, June is “Pride month.” Pride in what, our power, our skill, our choices, our sinfulness? What are we proud of? Injustice and oppression which occurs throughout the world and in our neighborhood, is this what we are proud of? Maybe you got a new car/truck or a pay raise or a good deal on whatever you were dealing with and now you are proud, but of what?

    What is most striking is how the world’s view is 180 degrees different than the Bible’s view. The world tells us to “be proud” but Scriptures says, “be humble.” We are to be humble before God and our fellow man is what the Bible tells us; pride is always associated with sinfulness. “Pride goes before destruction.” (Proverbs 16:18) “God opposes the proud but exalts the humble.” (James 4:6) God desires that we are humble, not ashamed, but humble.

    It is ironic that our verse comes from Peter. During Jesus’s earthly ministry, Peter was anything but humble. He was brash and arrogant, assuming he was capable of anything, yet he, of all the disciples, denied Jesus the harshest. Peter knows the pain of pride; he learned it the hard way. So now he writes, “be humble.”

    To be humble does not mean that we demean ourselves or that we are ashamed of who we are. To be humble does not mean that we think less of ourselves; it means that we think of ourselves less often. For a Christian, humility is asking the question, “how do I serve my neighbor in this situation?” How do I help my neighbor in his need, this is humility.

    So as the world and the devil call for “Pride” Christ seeks humility. While the world says, “look at me” Jesus says, “look at your neighbor.” While the world tells us to demand what is ours and take what is not, Jesus says “love one another, by this people will know that you are my disciples.” Love is the desire to help your neighbor. Humility is thinking about the needs of your neighbor over your own. Notice the life of a Christian is looking outward, in service to his neighbor. It is not one of pride, haughtiness, or lording over others. It is meek, not out of weakness or timidity but because “all authority” rests in Jesus.

    We serve the needs of others because Christ has already met our needs in his death and resurrection. We serve because we have already obtained the object of our faith, life eternal with Jesus. We now walk with Jesus; we now have eternal life in his kingdom, and He has called us to serve Him, and we do this by praising His name and serving our fellow man. Pride is for the sinner; humility is for those who are redeemed by Jesus. Walk in His ways!

Father of grace, lead me by your Spirit to walk the humble servant’s path. Teach me your ways so that I may always serve you in joy and gladness. Lead me to find contentment in the salvation that is mine because of your great mercy. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret