The way of the humble

Humility: Love one another back into grace
“Humility stands in grace, not superiority.”

Humility allows us to see another person’s perspective and to understand their behavior, not to excuse it or call sin acceptable, but to recognize something deeply sobering: we are capable of the very same failures.

The humble heart understands this truth: “But for the grace of God, there go I.”

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am… (remember what you say after “I am” is crucial.)

When we forget our own frailty, pride creeps in. Pride points fingers. Pride is quick to judge. Pride demands justice and is often harsher than the judgment God Himself would give.

But humility remembers grace.

We are the clay; He is the Potter. Yet how often do we question His choices?

Throughout Scripture, God chose deeply flawed people to accomplish His purposes:

• David — a murderer and adulterer yet he was a prophet and a king.
• Solomon — unsatisfied, indulgent, and later an idolater also was king and known for having wisdom far above normal men.
• Saul (Paul) — a blasphemer and murderer who became one of the greatest apostles, yet he declared himself the least of the apostles.
• Rahab — a prostitute yet chosen to carry the lineage of Christ

Stronger men and women than us have fallen, yet God redeemed, restored, and used them mightily. They were not discarded. 

And then there is the most shocking example of all.

Jesus chose Judas Iscariot knowing who he was.

John 6:70–71 “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Judas Iscariot—a devil! Who does that? Who would knowingly choose a devil?

This alone should humble us. He could not have chosen worse than that.

I once heard it said, “Christians are the only organism that devours itself.” Sadly, Scripture warns us of the same danger.  Through our pride we become spiritual cannibals.

Galatians 5:15
“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.”

Pride devours. Humility restores.

Humility knows its own weakness. It walks low before God and bold in love toward others.

Great men and women have fallen from grace. But does this make their calling, their ministry null and void, without usefulness?

No one is without sin. Even those who have committed great sin have still been used by God.

As the body of Christ, we must be careful with our judgments. Sin should not be ignored or permitted, but neither should the fallen be discarded.

Instead, let us ask God for wisdom:
How do we restore? How do we help? How do we love as Christ loves us?