We don't have a leg to stand on. Seriously. Christians can't afford to act all high and mighty because Father knows where each of us has come from. He knows what we were. He knows what he has saved us from. He knew us before the transformation started taking place. He also knows something else we tend to forget: He knows he is the one doing the work of transformation, not us.
As the Lord continues to do incredible things through us we have a tendency to forget we aren't the ones doing it. It's fantastic what he is doing, the way he is changing us, the way he is working through us, but every day we need to remember this is about Jesus. On our own we can't do a thing. In fact, that is exactly what Jesus told us:
" ... without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Humility for us should be as natural as breathing. Not false humility but the genuine thing as we realize we are simply the vessel for Yahweh's glory. But what a privilege to be that vessel. Humility is an import part of our relationship with Jesus because without it we forget who is actually doing the work.
Jesus gave an illustration using a dinner invitation. He said that people usually look for a position at the table that best reflects their position in life, but this can lead to embarrassment. If you esteem yourself higher than you actually are, the host could embarrass you by asking you you to move to a lower position to make room for someone of greater importance. He said it would be better to assume a lower position and allow the host to honour you by moving you to a higher one. So don't make assumptions about your importance in the Kingdom, allow Father to decide such things.
In Luke 18 Jesus gave an illustration of a Pharisee and a tax collector. They were both at the temple to pray. The Pharisee presented his self-righteousness to Yahweh, stating how pleased he was that he was not like other men , especially sinners. The tax collector took another approach in prayer, confessing himself a sinner and asking Yahweh for mercy. Jesus ended it by stating:
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
Listen, we have to recognize there is no good thing inside of us except Jesus Christ. We have nothing of any worth. Yahweh does not need our talents, money, or possession, but he has amazingly decided to include us in his work. He has transformed the old wine skin and made it new so we could receive his glory and be a vessel of his glory. That is incredible. It is not because we are special, righteous, perfect or wonderful. We were lost sinners, enemies of Yahweh, when Jesus died for us. He holds out the same opportunity to everyone in the world. The only difference between us and them is that we chose to accept it. But he still loves them as much as us, but we are saved because we made a decision to believe.
If the Spirit is using you mightily it is because you are humble enough to step out of the way to let him do his thing. If he isn't using you mightily you may want to look to see if your ego is getting in the way. At the end of the day it isn't what you have accomplished for Jesus but instead it will be about your obedience to his instructions and your willingness to be used as an instrument. Humility is vital in our close walk with Jesus.
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