Trying

[ Suffering for Doing Good ] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

This verse finds me trying in two senses. Firstly, I am constantly trying to live out these wise and inspired words, and secondly, I sometimes find them ‘trying’ because I don’t always reach the mark and fall short. But as Paul writes in Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” So, we should never give up trying to be more Christlike as Paul says. Peter takes the theme and says we should be more….

Like minded, suggesting that we need to treat our brothers and sisters with the same care that they treat us. With respect and due care. Our churches would always be more welcoming and friendly if we were all working to the same goal, and we did not have the hierarchy of self appointed leaders. There is no room for pride in a like minded group.

Sympathetic churches show the heart of Jesus in the community. It takes a real Christian to show true and genuine sympathy for the downtrodden, forgotten homeless people who live on the streets. It is easier to forget or ignore these people, but we are commanded to sympathise with their lives and lifestyles. They may not behave or look like the clean, respected members who fill our pews, but we cannot distance ourselves from them, or their needs.

Love one another tells me the highest calling we need to have for our fellow Christians. When we grasp the fact that God IS love, then it follows that we must show that same Christlike love to our brothers and sisters. Peter doesn’t say this because it’s easy, because as the old saying goes, “It’s hard to love the unlovely”, but we are commanded to, so we must. Not a halfhearted ‘like’, but a full blown selfless Christian agape love.

Be compassionate and show it. This is practical and unmistakeable. When we are compassionate, the world can see it, and then know for certain that we mean to share the love we have for each other, with them too. The combination of love and compassion is contagious, and shows the world we are serious about their salvation too. We think their soul is worth saving for eternity.

Humble. In one small word, we encapsulate the hardest thing for us to do as Christians. Oh we say we are not proud, but we fail the test when we think, no one else can do this job like me. Or, I have been helping to run this church all my life, so I know all about the needs better than everyone else. Or again, where would they be without my tithes or offerings? The burden on my shoulders is great, but I still think I am humble. Really? Humility is elusive. When we actively believe we have achieved humility, it’s at that point we have lost it! I think Peter left this command to the last because without it, we become a sham, and the world can see through a phoney with no trouble.

Humility

Dictionary definition of humility:”the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.”

Humility is like a vapour. Easy to see, but impossible to get your hands on, or your arms around. There is a lot of truth to the idea that just when you think you have it, you lose it! In fact humility is not something we should try to see in ourselves, but by contrast it can be seen more easily in others. I think you would agree that there are people we know, who we see as humble, but they would never say that of themselves. In fact they will not see it in themselves either!

So, the question that haunts me is this: How do we aspire to be humble if we can’t see it in ourselves? Perhaps we could look at the question from the other angle. What are the characteristics we can see in others that in our mind makes them humble? Firstly and perhaps most important is that they will never draw attention to themselves, so they are never loud either in lifestyle, or language.

Children are taught to be assertive and not withdrawn or backward, and this coupled with social media where the number of ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ is paramount, what chance can anyone have of finding that elusive thing called humility? The one place where people will aspire to see and become humble is church. The Bible shows the life of Jesus where he is undoubtedly lowly and humble, but who wants to be like Him, when we can be popular and show folks how good we are?

The apostle says it this way in 1 Peter 5:5 : “Be gentle as you care for each other. God works against those who have pride. He gives His loving-favour to those who do not try to honour themselves.” . What a lesson. So if a Christian comes across as: see me, hear me, loud, proud, assertive, pushy, or showy, they still have some way to go before the standard is reached, but remember it is easier to see humility in others, so we must take care that we don’t have any of these ‘anti-humility’ traits ourselves. You and I might not see them, but those around us certainly will!

Praise and Pride

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2

This doesn’t need a lot of explanation because like many other verses in the Bible, the meaning is clear. We don’t need a Pastor, Minister or Priest to break it down word by word.

You can praise another for Godly actions, and both of you will stay humble. The only danger is when or if these words, spoken sincerely, go to your head and you become proud. I know some Christians who would not speak highly to another believer because it’s their way to “keep them humble”. However, we all need encouragement at times, and when a work is done well for the Kingdom, we should be quick to speak words of kindness, encouragement, and praise over them.

The rule is simple. If you want to stay humble, don’t praise yourself. It’s good to leave it to others!

Fundamentals

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

When I need a self check on my faith life, I go back to this verse. It is as profound as it is simple, and easy to understand, yet difficult to practice. We can get caught up in the minefield of differing theological views, and some are held dear, but our mission statement has everything to do with our heart’s motives.

We are required to seek and practice justice, mercy and humility. If we are good and careful, we might get one out of the three, or if we are super faithful, we might get two out of three. What does it take to meet all three of these requirements. They are not optional, or nice to have on a good day. They are ‘required’. Important, necessary, essential to our God.

Micah wrote this verse some 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was preparing the way for Jesus’ birth and ministry. He is setting the scene for the church of his day, and the hearts of his people tomorrow. Without redemption through Christ, these three essentials would have seemed impossible, but we are living with the benefit of salvation. We know the rest of the story that Micah prophesied about, and although still a tough call, we can aim, and aim high to achieve justice, mercy and humility, but only with the help of the risen Christ, it can be more easily achieved. Of course first of all we must want to try. On a personal level, do I really want these characteristics in my heart and life? If so, then I must trust and believe it is possible, but only with the power of Jesus behind me. Is it that personal to you too?

Who?

‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’

Mark 8:29

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Mark 14:60-62

I was drawn to these passages because they refer to the knowledge of Jesus in a way not seen in many lives. In the first case, Jesus asks Peter who he thinks He (Jesus) is, and in the second passage the high priest asks Jesus straight out if He is the Messiah. Faced with a direct question, Jesus answers that He is indeed the Messiah.

We can see that Jesus is humble because He doesn’t go about ‘shouting’ about His Godhead. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to say what he thinks. I see this as an example of God in human flesh, asking if Peter has noticed the real person. Did Peter see God in Jesus? The answer is an emphatic yes, but it clearly shows the humility of the creator of the universe. In a similar way, we know that human respect is not automatic. It is conferred on us by others who see it as a worthy trait in our lives. Peter saw it in Jesus. We can also see that Jesus only answers the high priest when He could not avoid the question. Another example of humility.

What about us? As Christians, do we tend to shout our salvation to all and sundry, and even those who don’t ask and are not interested? Are we proud of our humility? What about Jesus’ example? Can we learn from Him? Unless we have the liberty of the Holy Spirit in the preacher’s pulpit, does it do our reputation any good when pointing to ourselves as though we deserve some respect? I don’t think so. In fact it would possibly have the opposite effect from the one we intend. Would it not be better to allow others to confer the respect if it is due, and honour us with the title bearing the name ‘Christian’? There is a sound ring to the name when conferred by others. Otherwise, it can have a counterproductive and shallow ring. May we be found worthy of His Name.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Who Do You Think You Are?

For by the grace given to me I say to every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

This TV program takes celebrities back through their ancestry to see if their forefathers were anything like the person on the program today. There have been many surprises, some good and some not so good and even embarrassing. However, in the Christian life, we know that God has no grandchildren, or do we think of that too lightly?

This verse tells us that we shouldn’t lord it over our unsaved friends in the sense that we are in an eternally superior position, but what about the comparisons we make to our fellow Christians? Divisions can be made by denomination where we write off certain churches, and their people, in one stroke of the pen. Then there are the others, perhaps in our own church, who identify as Christian, but we see them through different eyes. They don’t live the way they should, or to be more accurate, they don’t live the way we interpret the Bible.

The apostle Paul’s words hit home, and straight to the heart if we let them. None of us belong to an elite group or church fellowship. There are good Christian people all around us, living their lives in the light they have been given, or know. As the title says, “Who do you think you are”? Well? I am talking to myself now. Am I in a better position in my Christian life that God will favour me more than any other? Absolutely not, because Ephesians 2:8 says: “we are (all) saved by grace, not of works should any one boast”. I recite the words all too easily sometimes without seeing my own sin. Do I boast? Then that alone says that I think better of myself than I should, and Paul’s words apply. I pray for wisdom and humility, because I need them daily.

Justice, Kindness and Humility

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Sometimes it’s good to get back to basics, especially when it comes to the Christian life of faith. The Bible says a lot about how we should live, but this verse distils it to a level we should all understand quite easily. In truth, our friends of other faiths, or none, even recognise these characteristics and expect to see them..

The justice of God is over all, but we are told that we should ‘do justice’ ourselves when it comes to all of our own dealings. I would suggest we know this, and for the most part, we do it. It can be very obvious if we are unjust in our dealings with others, and that is not a good reflection on us, so we try hard to be fair and just.

‘Loving kindness’ also comes quite easily, especially when we are talking about those folks we like and get along with. Since we choose our company carefully, we tend not to include those we don’t like, so for the most part there is no difficulty in loving and showing kindness to our circle of friends.

So far, so good, but what about ‘walking humbly’ with God? I don’t know about you, but this might be a difficult one. After all, we strive to find humility, and when we think we have it, we show some pride. Humility is a characteristic which is best achieved starting from the heart, and not by what we do on the outside. The best examples are those people I know who are humble by nature, but don’t know it. God shines through their faults and flaws, and His witness in their lives bears testimony to the work of salvation. The Apostle says it perfectly when he says in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”. Only as we allow God to become increasingly important in our life, will our pride decrease, and that is the key. We may not have much direct control over our humility, but we can do something about our pride. When we do that, we may be on our way to humility that others will see in us. With God’s help of course!

False Teachers

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:43-48

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:5-7

​Like you, I have heard a lot about false teachers, and the harm they can undoubtedly cause the family of God.​ I hear it almost exclusively on social media, where it looks like just about every popular speaker or teacher is ‘called out’. All that is, except the ones who point the finger. There are some questions I find myself asking, and they are these:

The definition of a false prophet or teacher is given as: “In religion, one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine inspiration, or who uses that gift for evil ends.”

Who exactly is doing the calling out, and what are their own credentials? There are many doing it, and they do not speak with one voice.

When we start judging like this, we fall into our own trap when we tell others not to judge. We are then in danger of being proud, and not humble.

“The Bible says” is always the reason given for telling us who the false prophets are, but is it possible that some verses can be used in isolation or out of context? It is no coincidence that the false teachers also use Scripture.

Who are being told about these dangerous teachers? Usually a small group in social media, but never the person who is deemed to be the false teacher. If you are going to call someone out, should it not be the false prophet, and not only a group of friends who have no say or influence? Unless you need some kind of approval or consent of course.

I have found websites and self appointed teachers in their own right who have set themselves up as ‘false prophet busters’, who seem to enjoy a level of celebrity because of their own message, and who tend to attract their own followers who are undoubtedly sincere but following a human being and not the person who should be followed, Jesus.

There is a major issue of the example we are showing to others we may be praying for. If our own lives fall short in the slightest way (and we are all sinners) our witness is devalued in the sight of those we are trying to reach, perhaps permanently, or until a less judgemental person comes along who radiates the love of Jesus.

Where and with whom does it stop? I have found that when my finger is pointed, there are three others aimed back at me.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1​

​

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 17-25​

Know Your Place

Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

You must remember the old favourite Sunday School song: “J-O-Y, J-O-Y surely that must mean, Jesus first Yourself last, Others in between”. I remember singing it with gusto when I was 10 years old, little realising the theology that I was enjoying. It seems as we get older, we tend to forget the lessons of our youth, or maybe we think we know better now that we are more mature, and wiser?

The lesson here is simple. As the newer gospel song says, “It’s all about You my Jesus”. We need to put Jesus first, but as well as that, we need to put others before ourselves too. If you are really quick, you will see that you and I need to be last in line. The great paradox is that Jesus said “The last shall be first” so there is a reward to come for our  humility in this life.

Unfortunately, I have come across some older, supposedly wiser churchy folks who still think that the Christian life revolves around them. My concern and question is easy: who is qualified to tell them, or should they be left alone? After all, there is always the real possibility that someone could come knocking at my/your door!

Walk Humbly

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NKJV

It has been impossible to notice that the United States of America is voting for the man who would be president for the next four years. Obama or Romney, they both think they are the man to bring prosperity to this great nation, and both are happy to tell it at every opportunity. By the time you read this, the elections will be over and I/we won’t have to listen to it any more.

My Mum had a saying she used to describe selfish, proud and egotistical people, and it went like this, “..me, myself, and nobody else..”. Wise words, and this is something I am fed up hearing from both presidential candidates. Oh, it’s not just these two, it applies to politicians in the UK, and can be seen in many high level lifestyles here.

We used to joke about men needing to be ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ and then saying, ‘well two out of three isn’t bad’ and it would usually raise a smile. The prophet Micah doesn’t give us the option that two out of three is good enough. Justice, mercy and humility are all needed. I will be glad when the US election is over, and I don’t see and hear the ‘me, myself, and nobody else’ mantra again, or at least not until we have an election in the UK soon. It is worth remembering that there is a very large army of workers behind all political figureheads, from those who will clean up after the mess, to the security man who will be prepared to ‘take a bullet’ for the proud leader. Our nations do not revolve around one man or woman.

Talking about pride, I will leave you with another thought from Solomon, who was a very wise man: Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NKJV. We like humility in our friends, and we would like our friends to think the same of us, but apparently politicians and humility don’t go together at all. I can’t help but wonder if man’s pride is the root of the failing spiritual condition of both great nations? Just a thought.

Pride and Humility

I was intrigued by David Cameron's statement that it was his 'patriotic duty' to oust Gordon Brown from power at number 10 Downing Street. It seemed to me at least, quite a proud, and arrogant statement - even for a power chasing politician. I am not making a political point, but making an observation on a human characteristic.


In contrast to that statement, I received an email this week which said that this person was told off by a boss because they did not 'shout their knowledge of their job from the rooftops', especially when making presentations to prospective clients. This person, perhaps due their upbringing, was  not comfortable at pushing their own image, but was just doing their job, as best they could. In other words, the clients would make their minds up based on their ability, not on how loud they shouted about themselves! As I said, what a contrast, and what a lesson for our politicians! Anyone can speak well of themselves, but it means more when it is voiced by others around them. 


My dear old Mum gave me a warning about 'me, myself, and I' and she was right. There is something refreshing about humility, and we are able to see it clearly when it is shown. It is not self effacing. It is not 'in your face' as we hear in sporting circles, it is quiet but very, very effective, and a joy to see and hear. I suppose there are times when we have to let others know that we are up to the job, and that is ok, but there is only a short step from pride to arrogance, and I know where my vote lies. 


Humility is a grand and noble desire, but if we ever think we have achieved it, we have just lost it. Humility is best seen by others, and not in ourselves.