(from http://blog.9marks.org/2010/01/cultivate-humility-part-1.html)
by Ryan Townsend
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."James 4:6
In his booklet From Pride to Humility, Stuart Scott has compiled an insightful list of 30 biblical indicators as to whether pride is resident in our hearts. Read these slowly and prayerfully.
1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (Numbers 14:1-4, 9, 11; Romans 9:20)
2. A lack of gratitude (2 Chronicles 32:25)
3. Anger (Proverbs 28:25; Matthew 20:1-16)
4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)
5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities (Acts 12:21-23)
6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)
7. Perfectionism (Matthew 23:24-28)
8. Talking too much (Proverbs 10:19)
9. Talking too much about yourself (Proverbs 27:2; Galatians 6:3)
10. Seeking independence or control (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 5:21)
11. Being consumed with what others think (Galatians 1:10)
12. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Proverbs 13:1)
13. Being unteachable (Proverbs 19:20; John 9:13-34)
14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking down to them(Proverbs 12:18, 24)
15. A lack of service (Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 2:10)
16. A lack of compassion (Matthew 5:7, 18:23-35)
17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis 3:12-13; Proverbs 12:1)
18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 10:17)
19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24)
20. A lack of biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)
21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Peter 2:13-17)
22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked (Philippians 2:1-4)
23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5)
24. Maximizing others’ sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)
25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Ephesians 4:31-32)
26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)
27. Using others (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3-4)
28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Proverbs 11:3; 28:13)
29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter 3:3,4)
30. Not having close relationships (Proverbs 18:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25)
Augustine on Free Will
"Free will is more destroyed than establised by its defenders." (Augustine, in In Evangelium Johannis tractatus tract. 81)
John Calvin expounds, "Those who invests us with more than we possess only add sacrilege to our ruin. For when we are taught to contend in our own strength, what more is done than to lift us up, and then leave us to lean on a reed which immediately gives way? Indeed, our strength is exaggerated when it is compared to a reed. All that foolish men invent and prattle on this subject is mere smoke..."
The Groaning of Creation
I've just finished watching several videos from recent earthquake in Haiti. Initially my heart goes out to the people but my second response is 'God, why?'.
"...those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:4-5
"For creation was subjected to futility, not willingly but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage of decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:20-23
Amidst devastation God calls us to a 'greater reality' with radical introspection. In Luke 13:4-5, Christ dismantles our natural propensity to judge the situations ourselves.Our responsibility is to consider our own end trusting in God "...who made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him." Furthermore, our responsibility is to pray that God might open the eyes of others to see their need for Jesus. And finally, our responsibility is to proclaim through word and deed the salvation of Jesus that has been afforded to this fallen world.
Also, amidst devastation God calls us to a 'greater reality' with radical extro-spection. In Romans 8:20-23 God shows us the larger storyline of creation wherein he has given it up to its own fallen state. The inherent result is devastation, but it is not devastation that is without hope. Rather, the central purpose of creation 'groaning' is so that we ourselves would groan in hope for another creation. We graciously receive a foretaste of this hope as Spirit-indwelt believers. Our hope is for a new creation but our hope is in Jesus who through his life, death and resurrection provides the redemption or the deliverance of creation from its fallen state. A new creation has been purchased through his blood for the glory of our Father, and the good of his people. Wait in hope!
(Matt Marek/American Red Cross/AP Photo)
Not Home for the Holidays
I have been musing over what must have been going on at home this Christmas since we had decided to stay out east. There is something unique about 'home' and not just the physical house but rather the people, the friends, the family, the smells (yes, even lutefisk). As I contemplate my desire to be at home God has been gracious to remind me of the ultimate home. No, not golden streets, or mansions but the people, the family, and particularly, our God. The desire, to be at home with family during this season, should pale in comparison to the desire of sitting with my spiritual family at the Marriage Feast where we will all be with the Lamb who was slain on our behalf.
To be more specific... I remember the past of sitting down at a long table stretching from the dining room to the living room which was packed with family and food. After we found our seats and the 'moms' took pictures we would all look down the table anticipating my grandfather's words of spiritual reflection and then his prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. This aspect of Christmas will not be the same this year for any of us because Grandpa was called 'home' this year. It's bitter-sweet to consider these things but I would have to say that it is far more sweet than bitter. Why? Because the joys we have experienced as a family with our grandfather around a long table packed with family and food is a foretaste of our true family, our true home and our true Father! It will be nothing less than our experiences together as a family here but it will be exponentially more fantastic there for we will be together, face to face with our Redeemer... finally at home!
To be more specific... I remember the past of sitting down at a long table stretching from the dining room to the living room which was packed with family and food. After we found our seats and the 'moms' took pictures we would all look down the table anticipating my grandfather's words of spiritual reflection and then his prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. This aspect of Christmas will not be the same this year for any of us because Grandpa was called 'home' this year. It's bitter-sweet to consider these things but I would have to say that it is far more sweet than bitter. Why? Because the joys we have experienced as a family with our grandfather around a long table packed with family and food is a foretaste of our true family, our true home and our true Father! It will be nothing less than our experiences together as a family here but it will be exponentially more fantastic there for we will be together, face to face with our Redeemer... finally at home!
Unworthy Servants
Luke 17:7-10 "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded say, 'We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.'"
Recently, I have been privileged to carry some new responsibilities and in the midst of these opportunities I can feel my heart occasionally reeling inward. Although service is being rendered it can often be rendered, not in service to the King, but in service to the servant - me. Or when I have served with supposed great intentions for the King my heart yearns for prestige, comfort, or approval from others. My heart seeks contentment in things I have done and consequently causes discontentment with the King and what he has done on my behalf. I can't serve two masters.
And then I am reminded that my approval is Jesus, my prestige is Jesus, my comfort is Jesus... all that I am and all that I have to feel good about myself is Jesus.
A heart that fails to sense afresh its unworthiness is a heart that has become discontent with the person and work of the King. It's truly wonderful to be spent as an unworthy servant, in service to, the King.
Recently, I have been privileged to carry some new responsibilities and in the midst of these opportunities I can feel my heart occasionally reeling inward. Although service is being rendered it can often be rendered, not in service to the King, but in service to the servant - me. Or when I have served with supposed great intentions for the King my heart yearns for prestige, comfort, or approval from others. My heart seeks contentment in things I have done and consequently causes discontentment with the King and what he has done on my behalf. I can't serve two masters.
And then I am reminded that my approval is Jesus, my prestige is Jesus, my comfort is Jesus... all that I am and all that I have to feel good about myself is Jesus.
A heart that fails to sense afresh its unworthiness is a heart that has become discontent with the person and work of the King. It's truly wonderful to be spent as an unworthy servant, in service to, the King.
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