Humility And Power

Sometimes we do not know as we aught to know. Other times we do not see ourselves as we aught to see. It is true that God has declared us holy and blameless. It is true that as his children we are beautiful in his sight. It is also true that we are the objects of his affection. But we also need to keep in mind that this is all by his grace. Sometimes we forget and we think of ourselves more highly than we should.

It's almost like a balancing act because we do not want to deny who we are in Jesus. We have the authority to cast out demons, heal the sick and bring new life into every situation. Not our power but the power of Jesus in us. We have this incredible relationship with our Father to be free in and to enjoy it. At the same time we can't allow it to go to our head so that pride ruins the whole thing. That was Satan's failing and we do not want to repeat that mistake.

Humility must remain a cornerstone of our walk with Jesus. That should be an easy thing considering our humble beginnings. Doesn't matter what we were before we met Jesus. We could have been the most successful, wealthy, liked person in the world but before God we were nothing more than a rebellious creation, a sworn enemy of the Creator. When we accepted Jesus everything changed, it was a rebirth and suddenly we were rich in all the blessings of our God, a child of the Father and a sibling of the King.

Apostle Paul never forgot what he was before encountering Jesus and it kept him humble, despite his position in the Church:

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:7-8)

It was because of his persecution of the Church that Paul always considered himself the least of God's people. It kept him humble but it did not rob him of his purpose or of the power of Jesus in him. Paul knew what he had been and he knew what he was now. He also knew that he did not deserve to be in that position and it was simply a work of God's grace that had him there. Paul clearly understood his purpose and the One who made it possible for him to fulfil that purpose.

We can remain humble without denying the purpose and power of Jesus in our life. We may feel like the least of God's children but we must never deny his grace to do with us as he sees fit. We cannot deny our calling just because we do not feel worthy of it. Who does? The person in service to the King who feels he deserves to be there should not be there. Pride is knocking on his door. All of us were worthy of only death but it was by grace that we have received salvation and by grace that we serve.

Too often we judge ourselves and others by the past but as a follower of Jesus our pasts do not exist. We are a new creation and we need to remember that too. Yes, allow what you were to keep you humble in your service but also allow what you are now, a child of God and a servant of the King, to cause you to rise up and fulfil your purpose. Although I was 'that', by grace I am 'this'. Be not proud but neither handcuff the Spirit in you by denying God's grace which has transformed you into something beautiful and new. Serve our Lord in humility and power.