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Living By Faith: Humility

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Humility, unlike pride, does not come naturally to us; it must be deliberately put on and added to our character through God's Spirit and our conscious decisions to submit to Him out of love, a desire to be like Him, and a longing to glorify Him. By His power and our cooperation, humility is created within us, enabling us to grow stronger in overcoming pride and its destructive influences on relationships. Humility is a developed characteristic, formed through contact with the Father in heaven and our willing submission, and it stands as a command we must choose to obey, just as we are commanded to resist the devil, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts. In the Old Testament, humility is often portrayed as a condition of being brought low through poverty, affliction, or persecution, illustrating a social sense of being humbled that reflects a deeper spiritual attitude. In contrast, the New Testament presents humility as a virtuous quality, exemplified by God Himself, who, despite His supreme glory, stoops to lift up those far beneath Him, holding His awesome power in check to achieve a greater good. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate example, embodies humility not as weakness but as a deliberate control of power for the sake of others, taking on a servant's approach rather than a ruler's, which promotes good relationships by neutralizing pride. Humility stems from a genuine self-evaluation, where one deems himself worthless not out of self-loathing but out of recognition of complete dependence on God for every breath and spiritual need. It is the fruit of realizing one's spiritual poverty compared to God's perfection, an honest assessment that reveals our utter destitution of virtues valuable for eternal life and our inability to become like Him without His help. This poverty of spirit, central to a relationship with God, drives us to bow before Him, acknowledging our need and submitting to His will. Affliction and impending doom often promote humility, pushing us to cry out to God for intervention, and He responds by lifting us up, though sometimes leaving us marked by the experience to ensure we learn to submit continually. Humility, when put to work, yields positive effects, as seen in Solomon's recognition of his limitations, leading to honor and blessings from God. If we humble ourselves through brutally honest comparisons with His character, holiness, and righteousness, seeing how far beneath Him we are, He hears us, promises to bless us, and lifts us up, granting spiritual wealth as we submit to Him.

Humility

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Humility is not an obsequious act we turn on and off at will, but a sober reflection of our true relationship to God and our spiritual siblings.

Living by Faith: Humility and God's Justice

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Humility, poverty of spirit, and acknowledging our total dependence on God are of the utmost importance. God responds to those who are humble.

Unity (Part 7): Ephesians 4 (D)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because of our lack of self-discipline and willingness to guard the truth, we have allowed our theological base to deteriorate under the persuasion of the world.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Prayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.

Pride of Life

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

We are admonished to put out the leavening of pride and arrogance. Pride is something we loathe in someone else, but tolerate in ourselves.

The Poor in Spirit

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Nothing that we could ever do could impress God, except for our contrition, acknowledgment of our infirmity, and remorse for our sins which displease God.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We are not individually sovereign, but we are taught to give ourselves over completely to God's sovereignty. If we do, we will reap unfathomable blessings.

New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Humility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.

Faith (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Pride is a perverted comparison that elevates one above another. Because of its arrogant self-sufficiency, it hinders our faith. Faith depends on humility.

Humble Service

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jesus modeled the practice of foot-washing to demonstrate the need to be submissive to one another, to serve one another, including those who betray.

The Priesthood of God (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The priestly garments represent the holy character of God. Clothing is used as a badge of one's office and symbolizes what our character is like inwardly.

John (Part Twenty)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Just as a seed must die to itself in order to bear fruit, we also must sacrifice our lives, submitting unconditionally to God's to bear abundant fruit.

The Christian Fight (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

With all the military metaphors in the Bible, there can be no doubt that God likens the Christian life to a war against the evils and temptations we face.