Humility, first, second, third, and always!

John Calvin wrote in his second book, two of four, in “The Institutes of Christian Religion” about "The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ". In Book 2:2:11 he expounded concerning true humility that gives God alone the honour and he wrote:

“A saying of Chrysostum has always pleased me very much, that the foundation of our philosophy is humility. But that of Augustine pleases me even more: ‘When a certain rhetorician was asked what was the chief rule in eloquence, he replied, ‘Delivery, delivery, delivery’; so if you ask me concerning the precepts of the Christian religion, first, second, third and always I would answer ‘Humility’ ”.

1.Humility (at home)

We need to display humility in the home and among our family.
Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them”.
Loving our wives as Christ loved the church requires humility, first, second and third in the home. A man who is willing to admit he is wrong and says sorry is indeed to be respected. 1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”. Pray for humility in your life at home.

2. Humility (in the congregation)

We need to learn to practice humility in the congregation where we are planted. Nothing is more dis-tasteful than pride. The proud person is often the last person to see their own pride, because their personal pride blinds that individual's discernment to their own problems. Have you ever heard a proud Christian saying that my problem is my own spiritual pride? No, because their pride cannot stoop so low, because such an individual wants to project something of grandeur and apparent spiritual success, instead of giving the Covenant LORD the honour and glory.

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Philippians 2:8 “he [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross".
Our Christian lives should reflect the humility of the crucified Christ in our receiving the preached Word, in our prayer lives and in living as part of the flock with other Christians.

3. Humility (with the elders)

Humility needs to be displayed in the way we relate to elders in the church. The Scripture requires humility by elders and humility and godly submission by church members as well.

Acts 20:18-19 “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me”.

We need to pray to walk in all humility before your elders and with fellow Christians, but most of all before the LORD. Humility needs to be a lifelong pursuit.