068 – Humility is the key to unlock your relationship with God
Let’s face it, humility is not the most thrilling topic to talk about. But without it, we can’t really understand and follow Christ.
In this week’s episode, I talk about
- Why humility is important
- What it is and what it isn’t (a lot of people get this wrong)
- Jesus was humble in his relationship to the Father, but he was bold in who he was
- You can be bold in fulfilling your purpose and still be humble
“I can do nothing on my own.” John 5:30
Jesus said that he couldn’t do anything by himself, it was his heavenly Father who did everything. This is Jesus saying that. If he couldn’t do anything on his own, the same is true for us.
Jesus didn’t wait until the Garden of Gethsemane to submit to God’s will. Throughout his ministry he consistently did only what God told him to do.
Can we say the same? Not usually.
Humility is not belittling yourself. That’s just a negative egotism, the other side of the human ego “coin.” True humility is recognizing how wonderful you are as the image and likeness of God but realizing you had nothing to do with it.
You are the light in all its glory, but you are not the source of the light. God is. Humility is understanding the cause/effect relationship God has with you.
Having the mindset of Christ
Paul says “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Humility is the key to thinking, praying, and acting like Jesus.
I invite you to ponder deeply what the mindset of Christ is.
How did Jesus think? How could he be so humble? What does this say about his relationship with the Father? How can you take these ideas and apply them in your own life?
I’d love to hear your insights on humility. And I’d love to hear from you if you and questions or comments. Just click the “Contact” tab in the menu bar.
Have a great week,
James
Bible references in this week’s episode
Genesis 1:27 ESV
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Psalm 139:14 ESV
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 149:4 ESV
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
John 5:19, 30 ESV
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
30 I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
John 6:38 ESV
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
John 15:5 ESV
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 14:12 ESV
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Acts 9:6, 11, 20 NKJV
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Luke 22:42 ESV
42 Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.
1 Corinthians 13:9, 12 ESV
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV
16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Isaiah 40:13 ESV
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
1Peter 5:6 ESV
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
