I am contemplating "Humility" tonight... wondering if it truly is a choice of the will.... or is it more the fruit of God's Divine Favor upon His children?


I see it is as the Fruit of a true "realization of ourselves"...  in right-relationship with our Beloved Lord.  The fruit of a Divine "eye-opening".. which causes us to fall to our knees in need (again and again) of His Great Mercy, and Forgiveness.

This "know yourself" state of being.. in which we are reminded of our weakness and proneness to falling-short (homartia) of His Glory... if truly acknowledged, humbles us.  It removes false-trust in ourselves... replacing it "in Him".. who has promised to finish what HE has started in each of us.  The One who loves us as we are.. and gives us the Grace to see ourselves as He sees us.. in true Nakedness.  His Divine "Eye-opening" work will result in an even greater Love for Him.. who is our Righteousness  [Jer 33:16] ... if we will faint not and turn in our "need" to Him!

One of His Most Precious Gifts to us, is this "enduring-forever Love" [Ps 107] He has promised us He has for us.

A LOVE which enables Him, when we ask Him, to forgive us when we fall... knowing that even in this very act of Divine Forgiveness, He will cause us to Love Him even more. (He/She who has been forgiven much, loves much) 

When we see ourselves in the Light of His Greatness, we are reminded of His Strength and our weakness and when we are built upon a Gospel foundation of Grace, then we can easily acknowledge this great contrast and revel in His Greatness... knowing that it is when we are at our weakest, that HE is STRONGEST in us!  [Singing: How Great Thou Art!]

I keep thinking about Isaiah and the sense of his heartfelt "woe is me" when in the
Presence of the Most Holy God... isn't this truly the basis of "humility".  Did he choose to be humble... or did the fact of the true relationship between a mere
mortal and a Holy God throw him to his knees in reverent fear?  Did the sinner in the Temple, choose to be "humble" as he beat upon his breast.. oh God, Have Mercy upon me a Sinner?  The closer we get to God (based upon a maturity of
living and walking with Him over time)... the more sinful we see we are... and
humility is the fruit of this Truth... and "true humility" is the only humility there is.

Let us rejoice in the humbling work of our Beloved.. even now!

To be truly broken and humble is not a sign of self-mutilation... but rather the Hand of a Loving Father, unveiling the true state of our hearts... reminding us we are "works in progress".. ever needful of the Mercy and Forgiveness of God!  And HE Loves us  Anyway!  Hallelujah!

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His Unlimited Patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive Eternal Life.  [1 Tim. 1:15-16]

Jesus Christ, Son of God.. have mercy upon me a sinner!
In the Light of His Love, which Endures Forever!
Linda