Humble Service in Love

 

Daily Reading: Galatians 5:1 – 13

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

Liberty in Christ is a beautiful gift we have all because of God’s amazing grace. However, be warned! Liberty is not, nor ever should be a license to serve ourselves. Instead, as believers, we must use our freedom to serve others in Christ’s love. The Greek work translated occasion really helps to drive home this point. It is a military term to describe a base of operations from which military strikes and maneuvers are launched.  We must never allow our liberty in Christ to be the launching point for serving our flesh! Pride will launch us into serving our flesh.  However, true humility leads to loving service. It’s about recognizing that we are free from the chains of sin and empowered to serve rather than seeking personal gain.

Serving others in love requires us to lay aside our own desires and prioritize the will of God in serving the needs of those around us. It’s a way of living that reflects the love of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. Humility in service means we are willing to give of ourselves without expecting anything in return, trusting that God will provide all we need.

This is a challenging call in a world that often values self-promotion, but it is the path to true realization of the will of God in our day-to-day life.  That realization in turn will lead to joy in serving Him. As we serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ and bring glory to God. Are there opportunities in your life where you can serve others more selflessly? How can you use the freedom you have in Christ to serve others in love?

The Thorn of Humility?

 

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

                                                                                         II Corinthians 12:9

Paul speaks of his thorn in his flesh, “the messenger (gr. angelos) of Satan to buffet me”.  This spiritual assault made clear to Paul his weakness.  Due to the suffering and difficulty this caused Paul in his life, he repeatedly asked God to remove it. Most of us would do the exact same thing if we found ourselves in a similar situation.  Instead of granting Paul’s request, God revealed to him that He had given Paul something greater: His sustaining grace. Through His grace, Paul learned that God’s power is perfected in weakness. This is the paradox of humility.

In our moments of weakness, when we are keenly aware of our limitations, we are invited to lean fully on God’s strength. Humility is not about hiding our weaknesses but about surrendering them to God, knowing that He can use them for His glory. When we stop trying to rely on our own strength and allow Christ to work through our brokenness, His power is most evident.

We often resist humility because we fear being seen as weak, but Paul’s experience shows that embracing humility allows God’s grace to flow through us more freely. It’s in surrender that we find true strength.  What "thorns" in your life could be opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed?  How can you trust God’s grace more in your areas of weakness?

Loyalty has its Limits

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 9:1 – 12

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:  rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”

                                                Proverbs 9:8

Leaders need to demonstrate loyalty, but to whom?  to what?  Should you be loyal to those whom God has entrusted you to lead?  Yes.  We should certainly exercise loyalty in our relationships.  Loyalty promotes unity and trust.  Relationships are built on trust.  Proverbs 18:24 exemplifies loyalty when it says, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  

However, loyalty to others must have limits in the life of a believer.  In life, in earthly relationships, confrontation is sometimes required.  We must gird our loins and speak the truth in love.  It is in these moments that our true loyalty is on display.  We must be loyal to the truth.  We must be loyal to God and His Word.  Either Scripture is the guiding rule in our relationships, or we do not have much of a relationship at all.  

Confronting people with whom we have a relationship, and a problem is never easy or comfortable.  You never know how someone is going to respond.  Sometimes we do not respond as we should.  Our pride clouds our judgment.  Rather than responding to confrontation thankful that someone loved us enough to try to help us to see our own faults, our pride causes us to become defensive.  Our reaction to reproof determines whether we are wise or unwise.  

One thing is certain.  If we remain loyal in our relationship with God and His Word, it will absolutely have an impact on ALL other relationships.

Men Behaving Badly

 Daily Reading:  Judges 12:1 – 7

“And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

         As a man, and as a leader, there are times when you must simply do what needs to be done.  You do it because you are the man in the place to say or do what needs to be said or done.  Far too often, men who should be leading choose passivity.  They choose to say nothing or do nothing.  Jephthah was not that man.  When called to lead, he did the work no one wanted to do.  When the dust finally settled, the other men who should have been following his lead questioned his decisions and undermined his leadership. They were so angry with him that they threatened to burn his house down with him in it.  How is that for gratitude? 

This scenario illustrates a common challenge for those who endeavor to follow God’s will: backlash from brothers in Christ who feel convicted by your actions or words. Jephthah's response is a model of humility and conviction. Instead of retaliating or defending himself with harsh words, he recounts the circumstances that led him to lead the fight against the Ammonites. He reminds them of their previous inaction and highlights that he acted out of necessity, not arrogance. Jephthah’s retelling serves as a reminder that true leaders are often misunderstood, and it is through clarity and humility that they can address grievances.  Even when clarity is given in humility, the facts are not always received with humility.

As men and leaders today, we can glean vital lessons from Jephthah's experience. When we feel called to lead, we may encounter skepticism or outright opposition, sometimes from those closest to us. It’s crucial to remain steadfast and grounded in our purpose, knowing we are humble servants of God simply seeking to do His will. We can and should also communicate openly, reminding brothers and sisters in Christ that we are all an essential part of the Body of Christ. Jephthah’s calm demeanor in the face of criticism should teach us to lead with conviction, humility, and patience.

 

Questions for Reflection:

1.       1.   How can we ensure that our actions and decisions as leaders align with God’s will, even when faced with criticism from those around us?

     2.   In what ways can we better support and uplift fellow leaders, acknowledging their challenges while fostering a culture of unity and understanding?

Humility and Unity

         

Daily Reading:  Romans 12:1 - 16

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."

                                                                                     Romans 12:16

            Pride is a unique sin that destroys everything in its path.  If left unchecked, it will continue to wreak havoc on all it touches.  It is one sin that is commonplace in the Body of Christ who of all people should know better. Sadly, pride goes largely unchecked because it’s very roots in a man’s life blind him to its presence.  At the same time prideful men are able to spot it easily in the lives of other men because it conflicts with our own unobserved pride. Many a marriage, family, and ministry have been razed to the ground by a root of pride.

Humility is essential for unity within the body of Christ. Humility and pride cannot coexist.  Paul encourages believers to be of one mind, not seeking to elevate themselves, no matter their position or office in life, but to seek out and associate with those of humble circumstances. Men of true humility will be willing to connect with people from all walks of life, without considering ourselves superior or thinking of ourselves at all.  Leadership is not a position or role to be lorded over others!  Do so to your own destruction.

Pride breeds division, but humility fosters unity. When we let go of our desire for recognition or status, we are able to see others through God’s eyes—as valuable, loved, and worthy of respect. This kind of humility creates an atmosphere where peace and mutual love can flourish.

In a world that often promotes individualism, self-advancement and self-promotion, we are called to a different way of living. Humility allows us to serve one another in love, building up the body of Christ and reflecting the unity that God desires.

 

 

Am I a Liar?

 

                    

Daily Reading:  Romans 13:11 – 14

“let us walk honestly”

            Romans 13:13

            For the most part, you probably do not struggle with lying…at least not outright.  You may choose to be vague or avoid addressing an issue, but those decisions are made to avoid lying openly in conversation and confrontation.  Depending on the circumstances, the avoidance and vagueness can also be a problem, but have you ever paused to consider non-verbal lying. 

            Paul says in Romans 13:13, “let us walk honestly”.  If it is possible to walk honestly, then it must also be possible to walk dishonestly.  In plain terms, it is possible to live a lie.  It is possible for our actions to deceive.  Romans 13:11 tells us our deliverance is coming.  Christ is going to return and we who believe are going to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

            If we are not living like Christ is coming back for us, then we are being dishonest with all who see us and with all who know us!  We are lying to everyone.  We are given a list of dishonest actions by Christians in verse 13.  While you may rule out some items on that list, can you rule them all out?  The list concludes with strife and envying.  We live in a broken society where the entire list is commonplace and accepted.  As Christians, we are often guilty of quarreling and many envy regularly with no thought of it being the dishonest act of a believer.  Our society thrives on envy, and believers are often no different.  It is time to throw out the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Obedience or Convenience

 

Daily Reading:  Judges 2

                    “ye have not obeyed my voice:  why have ye done this?”

                                                         Judges 2:2

            What a statement!  What a question!  What an indictment!  God’s Word to Israel had been clear and simple.  They were to drive out ALL the inhabitants of the land.  He even promised them that He had delivered the land into their hand.  The promise was not enough. 

How often could that exact statement and question be God’s message to you?  Is God’s Word sufficient for you?  Do you submit to His authority, or do you openly defy the King of kings and Lord of lords?  And for what?  Israel’s defiance was because the enemy was well equipped or even better equipped (Judges 1:19).  They did it because they saw a benefit to having these people as forced labor (Judges 1:30, 33, 35).  What they saw as choices of convenience turned them from simple obedience.  Do we ever defy the simple commands of God’s Word because of personal convenience.

In life we will all face ups and downs.  Many of those peaks and valleys are through no fault of our own.  We live in a corrupt and fallen world where our lives are impacted.  We experience loss and hardship.  However, how often are difficulties the consequences of personally not obeying God’s Word?  Titus 2:14 tells us God desires a, “peculiar people zealous of good works.”  For us to be that people, we must individually make God’s Word the authority.  His Word must be completely sufficient for every decision.  May it never be said of us, “Ye have not obeyed my voice.  Why have ye done this?”