EPHESIANS 4 WALK IN HUMILITY EVEN IN PRISON

March 14

EPHESIANS 4

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”]9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)  – Ephesians 4:1-10

EPHESIANS 4 WALK IN HUMILITY EVEN IN PRISON

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a servant of Christ, one is urged to walk with all humility

Unlike the servant of the world who focuses on living for vanity

The true believer prioritizes the needs of the spirit

While the worldly person puts first his physical needs

Because the chosen child of God is given all the gifts and grace

He is able to see God and not himself as the center of the universe

By nature, a man follows his tendencies which leads to wickedness

Only supernaturally and divinely can a man be led to righteousness.

In this account, Paul writes to the Ephesian church instructing them how to be a prisoner for the Lord. Why does he talk in prison language? Probably because most of his epistles were written to the different churches while he was incarcerated. I also think that one of the reasons that he speaks this language of slavery and imprisonment was because of the rise to power of the Roman empire. He wants the believers to understand that God’s kingdom doesn’t operate the same way as worldly kingdoms like the Roman empire who usurps power to control the spread of their kingdom. In order to do so, they have to capture those who do not follow their control. They were the ones who actually persecuted the Lord. In these following verses, Paul shows us that being a prisoner for Christ, he was free. Ironically, it was the same captivity that allowed him to preach the gospel much more than he could have even if he was outside and free.

Paul was not originally the chosen apostles by Jesus, but he was chosen by God himself while he was persecuting Christians. He was used by God to bring the Gentiles who didn’t know God to believe in him. In prison, one is not free to say or do what one wants. But by God’s grace, Paul was still able to hear the Holy Spirit’s leading in spreading the gospel even in the constraints of that prison. As a prisoner of Christ, he explains that walking in humility and in love removes all these constraints because it is the working of the Holy Spirit that enables him to fulfill the purpose of his calling which is to spread the gospel.

REFLECTION

  • How can the Spirit of God free us from different prisons by walking in humility?

DEUTERONOMY 8 HUMBLED IN THE WILDERNESS

March 13

DEUTERONOMY 8

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. – Deuteronomy 8:1-6

DEUTERONOMY 8 HUMBLED IN THE WILDERNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you belong to the Lord, he will strengthen you

He will test you so you can be resilient and strong

It is his way of humbling you so you can rely on Him

You will be like his child who needs nurturing and caring

He will allow you to go through life’s wilderness

So, you can stay meek and be led to righteousness

Remember that he will always provide for your needs

He never forsakes his children and never forgets them.

The writer of this book reminds the Israelites what God has done for them while they were in the wilderness for forty years. Most of all, he reminded them to keep the commandments and follow them so they can multiply and possess the land that God promised them. Moses reminded them of the covenant that they made with their Lord and that agreement had expectations from their end to fulfill. That part of their covenant entails that they go through all the tests and obstacles that will lead them to take the promised land so that the promise will be fulfilled.

In this account, Moses explains to them the purpose of the forty years in the wilderness. It was to keep them humble and dependent on God. Many of them were grumbling about why they had to give up all the things they loved in Egypt. They couldn’t recognize the benefit of being free from slavery because they were attached to the things that they were used to even though they were in bondage. It is like Stockholm syndrome where the victim begins to love the victimizer and the things done to her because it became so normal and part of her life. They cannot see that they are being abused. The abuser tries to bring some pleasurable things so they forget that they are being used and enslaved.

Moses tried to remind them of all the provisions that God brought them as they went through the wilderness for forty years so they can remember the covenant promise they made to God.

REFLECTION

·       Share how you have been humbled in some of your wilderness journeys?

ISAIAH 66 THE CONTRITE & THE MEEK

March 12

ISAIAH 66

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
    and what is the place of my rest?
2 All these things my hand has made,
    and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
    he who is humble and contrite in spirit
    and trembles at my word. – Isaiah 66:1-2

ISAIAH 66 THE CONTRITE & THE MEEK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Do you wonder what kind of people the Lord takes delight in?

They are the ones who have a heart that admits sins

He has no arrogance and doesn’t think highly of himself

He is meek and knows his place before His Lord’s majesty

He seeks the word of the Lord for sustenance and strength

He feeds daily on them & trembles to obey what is says

The Lord delights in those who love and fear him

Blessings, wisdom and protection are what God grants them.

In this account, the prophet Isaiah identifies what God delights in. The Israelites were so focused on the temple worship and all the externals of it. The beginning of this chapter narrates God’s thoughts on all their ritualistic worship. The prophet reminded them that God’s throne is in heaven and that the earth is a footstool. In other words, he stresses that although external worship is one form of praising him, he is more pleased with the workings of their heart.

Motyer comments that “contrite literally means ‘lamed’ or disabled, here used with spiritual significance: one who is aware of the damage wrought by sin, of personal inability to stand upright before God.”  Spurgeon gives another comment: “Are you one of those who trembles at God’s word? “They tremble at the searching power of God’s Word. Do you never come into this place and sit down in the pew, and say, ‘Lord, grant that thy Word may search me and try me, that I may not be deceived’? Certain people must always have sweets and comforts; but God’s wise children do not wish for these in undue measure. Daily bread we ask for, not daily sugar.”

The Lord is after our hearts and he doesn’t care for rituals or religion. In fact, James says in 1:27 that pure religion according to God is caring for the widows and orphans and keeping our hearts pure and undefiled. Here, Isaiah stresses on humility, contrite hearts and those who take delight in his word.

REFLECTION

  • How can a believer stay humble and contrite in his heart?

MATTHEW 20 HUMILITY AND SERVING OTHERS LEAD TO GREATNESS

March 11

MATTHEW 20

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:20-28

MATTHEW 20 HUMILITY AND SERVING OTHERS LEAD TO GREATNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

In the world system, greatness comes from position and power

In God’s kingdom, greatness is a result of humility and serving others

If you want to be great in God’s eyes, serve your neighbors willingly

Stay meek and never aim for greatness through your own abilities

If the Lord God has chosen you to be one of his children

You will be equipped with blessings to enter his heavenly kingdom.

It is interesting that the mother’s request here is assurance for her two sons to sit on both right and left side of him in God’s kingdom. Don’t all mothers want what is best for their children? That is clearly indicated in this account. But what she asked Jesus here is a guarantee that her sons would have those two places she requested beside the Lord. We humans don’t know sometimes what we ask for. It seems like she doesn’t have enough knowledge of God and his covenant and salvation plan. If she did, it would have been wrong for her to ask for assurance for her sons because that would mean that she didn’t know the plan of God for humanity. It is only God who chooses who would inherit his kingdom.

I love how Jesus answered this when he pointed out the authority of his Father as he is ultimately the only one who chooses who sits beside him and also the only one who elects his own people. In Scripture we know that the right-hand side of God is reserved for Jesus alone and so Jesus corrected her in verse 22 when he said that she had no clue what she was asking for. In his reply, he manifested humility and worship of his Father. He knows exactly where he stands with God. He wasn’t going to give her assurance of the salvation of her sons since that wasn’t his place to do so. Jesus also challenges the mother that her sons must be able to endure the same suffering he would be enduring to fulfill God’s salvation plan. When the other disciples reacted in anger against the two brothers, Jesus explained to them that those who want greatness must have humility and be slaves of the other.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think it was wrong for the mother to ask for positions for her children?

MATTHEW 11 THE WAY OF THE GENTLE AND LOWLY

March 10

MATTHEW 11

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:25-30

MATTHEW 11 THE WAY OF THE GENTLE AND LOWLY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To those chosen by God since the beginning of time

They are given the ability to be gentle and to be meek

To be gentle like a lamb is to have patience for others

It does not judge, discriminate or ignore one another

It is silent and does not boast or keep a record of wrongs

Instead, it gives grace to the weak and the vulnerable

It follows the ways of the Lord which leads to a quiet spirit

It is not heavy laden since Christ’s yoke is easy and light.

This account of Matthew is another prayer of Jesus to his Father in heaven. Jesus praises his Father for the grace he has granted to all those who belong to him. He described the elect as little children. We know that little children are pure and innocent and are gentle and lowly in heart. In other words, God chose those who are not intelligent or full of knowledge but instead, he grants his kingdom to those who are pure in heart. Children are also gentle and are usually humble. Because they haven’t developed yet to maturity, they still have malleable hearts, minds and spirits. They are not like those who have lived long enough in this world who have learned its wicked and evil ways. In Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17, Jesus used the analogy of being childlike. He says that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are like little children. Being like a child would mean someone who has no pride or arrogance. They are humble and trusting and open to learn and be taught. They are also very dependent on their caregivers since they still have to grow and develop and have not yet been able to independently do things on their own.

The opposite of being humble, gentle and dependent on God is a haughty, harsh, isolated and self-sufficient person who thinks highly of himself and has no room to give grace to others, especially those who are weak and vulnerable and poor. They also have no need for God. Jesus invites all those who are suffering, in pain, ill and weak, to come to him because he will ease their burdens. Unlike the proud and hypocrites who have no patience for the vulnerable and needy, the people of God are invited to a life of humility and gentleness. To be gentle is to follow Jesus’ justice and meekness and righteousness.

REFLECTION

·       Why do you think one cannot enter God’s kingdom unless they are like children?

ISAIAH 57 GOD REVIVES THE LOWLY & CONTRITE

March 9

ISAIAH 57

And it shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way,

 remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”
15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.
17 Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,

but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. – Isaiah 57:14-17

ISAIAH 57 GOD REVIVES THE LOWLY & CONTRITE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

All those chosen by the Lord, prepare the way for him

Remove all hindrances against uprightness; stop the habit of sin

There is only One God who stands up high and mighty

Bow down to him alone and do not make images of anything

God is close to those who confesses their sins and repentant about them

He revives anyone who knows they’ve sin against a just and loving God

So, all of you who are lowly and contrite, come to the Lord who is full of mercy

You will be forgiven and renewed if you faithfully long to please Him only.

In this prophecy of Isaiah to the Israelites, he warns them of idolatry and shows them that the only way to the right path is through humility and a contrite heart. In verse 14, he guides them to prepare the way. What was he talking about when he say to prepare which way? If you go to Psalm 1, David talks about the way of the wicked and the way of the righteous. He blesses those who walk not according to the advice of the wicked, or those who don’t take part in anything that perpetuates evil or tolerates injustice, mocking God or rebelling against him. In verse 15, he reminds the people of God of his majesty, holiness and power. He was illustrating a God who cannot be defied or mocked since he sits high in his throne and is eternal. How can someone who belongs to God mock him? It is easy to think that we can obey God just like that. But if we do not understand the true nature of our sinfulness against the character of our true God, how can we be able to truly serve him? Our natural tendency is to go against him and create our own little gods. When we do so, we are mocking the Almighty God by trying to create something that doesn’t belong to him. We can only be either in the camp of Satan or in God’s camp. We cannot create an in-between god who caters to our own pleasures and also please God himself. He will not tolerate it. The only way to go is the way of the lowly or the humble. They recognize their smallness compared to an All-powerful God. They have a contrite heart to know they have displeased the true God.

REFLECTION

  • What other ways do we mock God that many people do not recognize easily?

1 CORINTHIANS 1 GOD CHOSE THE LOWLY & WEAK

March 8

1 CORINTHIANS 1

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of himyou are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

1 CORINTHIANS 1 GOD CHOSE THE LOWLY & WEAK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The world dictates standards based on nobility & knowledge

But God chooses the weak and the lowly to mock their ideals

The Lord despises the things the world elevates into power

So, he humiliates them by making the vulnerable stronger

In their weaknesses, God brings his glory by empowering them

So that the rich and strong cannot boast about anything.

In this letter of Paul to the Corinthian church, he points out whom God chooses to bring into salvation. They are those who are poor, needy, weak and lowly. Jesus didn’t die for the rich and powerful. These kinds of people do not need a higher being, they have their riches and power as their gods. When Paul teaches the Corinthian church about those who were elect by God, it sounds like a mockery against these shallow people whose lives are anchored on all their material possessions. God’s choice of his people is totally against the system of the world. He elevates the poor, needy, weak and lowly. He humiliates the proud, the rich, strong and the wise.

Since those who think highly of themselves would never think of others or anyone higher than them, they are very independent and self-sufficient. It will never cross their minds that someone is higher than them. This is why we are advised in Matthew 6 to gather riches in heaven rather than earthly things which rusts and get stolen or destroyed. Instead, we are supposed to gather good deeds to harvest in heaven because where our treasures are, our hearts will also be there.

In verse 27, Paul mentions foolish here as someone who is considered a simpleton, uneducated, uncultured, not refined. Interestingly, God chooses these people to shame the wise. The world considers educated, rich, cultured and refined as the way to go, but God uses the foolish to humiliate these people who put down the poor, weak and lowly. Why does God do this? Because these people are idolizing their own wealth, knowledge, power and control. They are rebelling against God in their idolatry.

REFLECTION

·       How can we ensure that we don’t become the object of God’s wrath from these verses?

MATTHEW 23 THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED

March 7

MATTHEW 23

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. – Matthew 23:1-12

MATTHEW 23 THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To seek adulation for oneself is the way the haughty lives for

Every effort they do is all about being lifted up

They act and do all kinds of deeds as a way to perform

Everything they do is grandiose so they can get attention

The humble on the other hand keeps silently what they do

They don’t want to be recognized for their good

They serve other people’s interests and know their importance

Because they humble themselves, God will exalt them also.

In this account, we see Jesus’ teaching on humility. It is interesting how he gave the Pharisees as an example of the opposite of a humble person. Jesus used the proud Pharisees as a lesson to watch out for. He didn’t want them to follow the way of the proud and hypocrites.

  • They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders
  • They do all their deeds to be seen by others
  • They preach but do not practice what they preach
  • They love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 
  • They love being greeted in the marketplace and called Rabbi

How could we translate these haughty ways in our society now? How can you identify the haughty person? They like to parade their knowledge and be honored and respected for it. They make rules and expectations for others that are hard to follow and they are difficult and make others’ lives hard. They do not follow what they teach others. They are entitled and want the best of anything and everything. They love accolades and titles and positions to feel great, powerful and important. Sadly, this is the opposite of what Jesus sampled for us. God expects a servant’s heart from his people, not a boastful, proud one.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights how God exalted the humble. You can share your own or examples in the
  • bible.

PHILIPPIANS 2 CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

March 6

PHILIPPIANS 2

 So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:1-11

PHILIPPIANS 2 CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

If we look and follow at Jesus’ example of humility

We can have a new mindset and overcome difficulties

When Jesus became human and gave up his divinity

Humility became possible to follow for all of humanity

Love is the foundation he sampled for us to workout humility

In loving others, we begin to get out of our selfish tendencies

Our minds change from self-focused to other-centeredness

We think less of ourselves and become aware of others around us.

In this letter of Paul to the church at Philippi, he emphasizes humility as sampled by Jesus Christ himself. He gives a guideline for the believers to follow to walk in humility because he knows that on their own, they won’t be able to walk in it. These are the instructions he gave to the believers:

  1. Be encouraged as you walk in Christ
  2. Be comforted knowing that you are loved
  3. Walk in the Spirit by obeying his conviction
  4. Be compassionate and sympathetic towards others
  5. Please God by being united with other believers and having the same mind as Christ
  6. Do not boast or seek after selfish ambitions
  7. Do not think highly of yourself
  8. Be interested in others genuinely and not just after your own interest
  9. Have a servant’s heart just like Christ did, outdo one another in service
  10. Obey to the point of death

If you take in detail each of these directives, you will find that no one can follow any of them if one is proud. Humility is the key virtue that leads believers to follow the example that Jesus laid out.

REFLECTION

  • Which among these instructions are you struggling with and why?

PSALM 25 HUMILITY LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

March 5

PSALM 25

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

                                                                                  – Psalm 25:8-10

PSALM 25 HUMILITY LEADS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we serve the Lord Jesus Christ

We begin to think less of ourselves

Christ himself gave up his divinity

So that he could redeem all of humanity

We ought to follow his example of meekness

It is the only path that leads to righteousness.

King David wrote this psalm. It is a heartfelt prayer for guidance, forgiveness and protection from the enemy. We witness David’s intimate knowledge of his God. He recognizes that he is good and upright and that he ultimately knows what is best for him. He sees his God very well and never forgets to praise and honor his character. He talks about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to keep his promises.

David mentions humility as the path to righteousness. Without it, we will not be able to do what is right and learn the ways of the Lord. Have you ever heard of a proud person with much wisdom? Proverbs 16:18 tells us that pride directly leads to folly and destruction. Talk to a haughty person and you will not be heard. He has no room for learning because he is so full of himself. He cannot take anything that doesn’t come from himself. In Proverbs 23:9, we are advised by Solomon not to speak in the hearing of fools for they will despise the wisdom of your words. Proud people are no different from fools. They have an unteachable spirit. They elevate themselves too much for them to hear anything from anyone. How can you teach anyone who thinks they already know everything? They are so full of themselves to allow anything that can be good for them. They despise anyone that will make them feel that they are lesser than them. The haughty people are driven by control and power. They have to be superior over everyone else.

Pharaoh, King Nebuchadnezzar and Haiman are some examples in the bible who were very proud and foolish. Their pride led them to destruction and ruin. Pharaoh manifested his extreme haughtiness by refusing to acknowledge God which led to the ten plagues in Egypt. King Nebuchadnezzar boasted of building Babylon by his own power which led him to a period of madness. Haman demanded reverence from Mordecai and plotted to annihilate the Jews.

REFLECTION

  • Share some insights on how humility is the path to righteousness.