The meaning of humility

II Peter 1: 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Do we really comprehend what it means to be a SERVANT of Jesus Christ . . . “to comprehend” means to “realize” the truth – or to grasp the “realization of the consequences”.

Peter says two things about himself in this first verse . . . 1) that he is a servant of Jesus and 2) that he is an apostle of Jesus . . .

Now the office of an apostle no longer exists in our churches . . . but the concept of being a servant of Jesus Christ is still in effect.

Peter points out that even though he is “an apostle” of Jesus (which was a position of great honor) . . . humility teaches Peter that even though he holds a position of honor in

“The Kingdom of God” (or in the church of the New Testament) in spite of the position that he holds - he still remains a servant of Jesus.

The apostles were the first twelve disciples that Jesus “called out” just after His baptism.

An apostle was a position or an “office” that only existed in the early church and its purpose was to basically teach “the first church” how Jesus wanted them worship.

Today – The Bible teaches us the meaning of true worship as opposed to false worship – so the office an apostle to answer any “church questions” is no longer needed.

Today the two remaining “offices” or positions in the church . . . are the office of pastor and deacon . . . The deacon is to help the pastor . . . but the deacon is NOT the "assistant" pastor.

I Tim 3: 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop (or pastor) he desireth a good work.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

The pastor is the man who uses God’s Word to instruct (teach) righteousness and to allow his love for God’s people in the church  

to motivate him “to lead” the church in accordance to God’s will by the example of his "personal" life – as well as by “teaching” from his study of God’s Word . . . Everything that the pastor does SHOULD BE for the spiritual benefit of the church – he should

never allow himself to be motivated by what might be best for him personally (or for his ministry) so he can advance to a larger

church or move up to a more prestigious position in his religion . . . but like a father would suffer anything before he allowed his children to be harmed . . . even so – a good pastor “if the need arose” would choose to suffer 
personally so that his church might be spared any degree of harm – the “office” of a pastor does include teaching – but it is mainly a vocation

of love and self-sacrifice . . . a pastor teaches MORE “through the love” that he does or does not have for the congregation – than

he will ever be able to teach from the pulpit in the form of a sermon . . . The office a deacon is to . . . provide help to the pastor . . . so that

the pastor can devote his time to the study of God’s Word – as opposed to being distracted with the necessary “physical tasks” that are often associated with church-work . . .

Acts 6: 1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied (as the church was growing) there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

In the days of the scriptures – there were no welfare programs to provide for the necessities of those who could not provide for themselves . . . “the daily ministration” refers to the “daily relief” which the church provided to those who had no husbands

(or to the widows) Because without husbands – these widows had no means of support . . . Because the church was growing (the

disciples were being multiplied) this responsibility (feeding the widows) was being neglected because it was too much for the local pastors to handle by themselves . . . they needed help to do this – and the office the deacon was “the hand” that provided this help.

2 Then the twelve (the twelve apostles) called the multitude of the disciples (all the other followers of Jesus – the church-members) unto them, and said,

It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables (or to provide for the needs of these widows). 

Granted these widows should be provided for – but the job has simply grown too large for the local pastors to distribute food to the

widows in addition to fulfilling their other responsibilities as pastor.   

3 Wherefore, brethren (the apostles told them to) look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The men whom this church appointed – were called deacons . . . and the business unto which they were appointed - was to make sure the widows were not neglected in regard to their daily quota of food.

As one of the apostles – Peter understood that pride in his heart (because of a position that he held in the church) would immediately disqualify him from being what God wanted him to be . . .

(no matter how “good” a speaker he was) if his heart was not right – then his service could not be right either.

So the first step to "comprehending" or grasping the true idea of being a servant of Jesus Christ . . . is to recognize humility and to make humility part of our everyday life.

To occupy a position "in the Lords Work" does not mean that we are important . . . it simply means that we are a servant like all of God's other children . . . the only difference lies in the our responsibilities.

But regardless of the office that we occupy . . . our first responsibility is to recognize HUMILITY and our second responsibility is to PRACTICE humility and to see ourselves as ONLY a servant . . . whose responsibility is to do God's Will as we forsake our own will. 

Will you claim God's full reward?

Ps 33: 10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought” refers to how God crushes “the purpose” of those people who are foreign to His ways of truth and righteousness . . .

“To make the devices of the people of none effect” refers to how God breaks the purpose – or how He neutralizes (nullifies) the works of man.

Ps 33: 11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

God’s purpose – God’s advice will continue or be established for all ages . . . The mind of God will influence humanity in “every” generation.

Ps 33: 12 ¶ Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

To “be blessed” is to be happy – the nation who has chosen God to be the Lord that they serve – will be a blessed nation – a happy nation . . .

We can compare the nation of Israel to “herself” when she chose to serve God – to those times when she chose to rebel against God . . . 

As the nation of Israel wondered in the wilderness “because of her rebellion” – she was protected by God – and God also provided for her needs . . . but she was still being chastised for her rebellion.

So compare her state of “happiness” in the wilderness of chastisement - with how she was blessed when she first crossed over the Jordan into the promised land to claim God’s promise  . . . 

This same comparison can also true of our lives today – when as God’s children – we are chastised of God as we rebel . . . in the midst of chastisement God still loves us – and God still protects us from spiritual 

harm – but in the midst of punishment – we cannot know the same type of blessings and happiness that it is possible to enjoy when we have a right relationship with God and are not fighting against His will for our lives . . .

This promised blessing of happiness is not only promised to that nation whose God is the Lord . . . but this promise is also extended to . . . 

“the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” or to those people whom God has chosen to be His special treasure . . . 

this refers not only to the blessing of “salvation” – But this promised blessing has to do with “the abundant life” which only some experience AFTER they are saved.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

To have "life" is of course referring to the salvation of our souls – through faith and repentance in Jesus Christ.  But the "abundant" life that is mentioned here is something that is added to our salvation IF WE SEEK God’s will through PROPER WORSHIP after we are saved . . .

Luke 1: 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

The key phrase to this passage in Luke is that God has “saved” His people with the intent that His people might “remember His holy covenant” and serve Him without fear ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LIFE.

Have we allowed God’s expectations to be met in our lives . .  . or have we forgotten His Holy covenant (which refers to the teachings that He left in His New Testament Church)

 James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Does every child of God love God as they should?  

“The crown of life” that is mentioned here – is a reward that NOT ALL of the saved are going to receive.

It is not possible to determine just exactly what this “crown of life” will be . . . but the point is that the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John – and
this crown of life that is mentioned here – represent something that only 

those who gain a special relationship with Jesus through obedience/faith/repentance/proper worship AFTER they are saved will be able to receive . . .

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

If we can see that it is possible for a child of God NOT to love God as he should love Him . . . then we can also see that it is possible for that same 

child to lose rewards in the day of judgment and to miss out on the blessing spoken of here that has been prepared NOT FOR ALL THE SAVED but only for them that love Him. 

Are you happy in the Lord

    Ps 33: 1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

   To rejoice in the Lord is for us to develop an attitude of being HAPPY when we think about our relationship with God . . . Praise of God is “comely” or suitable for the “upright” or praise of God is expected from those who seek His will.

    2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
    3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
    4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

   One of the ideas presented here is to not be ashamed of our love for God – so that we only give Him “secret” devotions . . . but to praise the Lord with harp – to sing unto 

    him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings . . . these phrases indicate that we (as God’s people) should not be ashamed of the love we have for God . . . and the use 

    

    of instruments in our praise of Him indicates that praise of God is not reserved ONLY for the ignorant and the unlearned . . . but those who are “more accomplished” in life

    should not “leave” (forsake) their faith in the face of prosperity . . . because the Word of the Lord will provide a firm foundation for His people . . . no matter (the station of   life) that they happen to occupy.

    5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

    God loves righteousness – because righteousness is the ONLY way to avoid judgment . . . and God loves judgment because He loves fighting against those who seek to destroy His people and bring them harm.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

We learn here of the extreme power that The God of righteousness holds in His hand.

    We now begin to see some of the reasons that it is appropriate for His people to offer PUBLIC praise unto God with song . . .

Contrary to “science so called” we learn here that the heavens (our atmosphere – our universe) and all the beings that inhabit our planet were brought into existence when God SAID “let there be . . .”

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

After literally speaking all things into existence . . . the God whose WORD is right . . . the God whose “every” work is done in truth . . . the God who loves righteousness . . . the God who loves judgment . . . 

    this SAME God began to form and to mold (and to shape) His creation into what His
    Divine Will had desired it to become . . . 

    We often hear that God’s creation was perfect . . . and it was – but just because “the earth” grew or changed after it was brought into existence . . . 

    does not mean that in the beginning – God had made the earth in a “substandard” condition . . . for instance: consider your own lives.  Think about your current age . . . haven’t you changed since your birth?

The fact that you have changed since your birth . . . does not mean that you were “created” with something about you that was wrong or “substandard” (that God made a
    mistake or didn't do a good job) . . . 

    it means that you creator intended for the proper type of nourishment – love – the care and attention of “others” to mold (or to form) you into what His Will desired you to be.

    God wants us to love Him and to serve Him because we choose to love Him and to serve Him . . . not because there is something about our creation that takes this choice out of our hands . . .

If we have not received the right type of nourishment – if we have not been loved properly – if the care and attention of “others” in our life has been less than it
    should be . . . 

   then we will have been “molded” (formed/changed) by our life experiences . . . but because these "experiences" were outside of God's will - our change will not be according to the design that God has intended for us.

God set the stage for our life . . . but as “the actors” on that stage . . . our parents – our grandparents – our neighbors . . . and even our own selves . . . we are all involved in 

    whether or not “the script” (the story line) that God has written for us as “His Divine Will for our lives” is followed or ignored.

God created us – knowing that we would “change” throughout the various stages of our lives . . . Our attitude toward circumstances – our attitude toward failure – our
    attitude toward The Truth will determine the direction that this change takes us . . .

   That direction will be closer to God’s Will or more distant from God’s will . . . depending upon how we choose to react to the circumstances of our lives.

When God spoke the “worlds” into existence . . . He also began to form the worlds – and to mold the world in which we now live so that it would be a suitable habitation for
    His people . . .

    the world in which we live was never intended to last “forever” . . . but just like our bodies – the earth was born – it grows – it changes . . . and eventually it will
    die (perish) just like you and I will one day perish in the grave

II Peter 3: 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
    11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
    12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
    13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

So for the reasons that we have been discussing . . . Ps 33: 8-9 explains to us – what “the earth” should DO –  we should all fear the Lord . . . and stand in awe of Him . . .

    Ps 33: 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

And we also learn WHY we should fear Him . . . and WHY we should stand in awe of Him . . . the reason for this attitude to be found within us . . . is

9 For he “spake” and it was DONE; he “commanded” and it STOOD FAST.

Just what type of attitude have chosen to have toward God . . . do we worship God with the fear/love and respect that due as our creator/savior  . . . 

    or do we worship God because of our selfishness - like He was just a big Santa Clause . . . and is our only reason for being “nice” because we want to “use God” to get the things that we want in life? 

    (no matter what type of doctrines we promote in our  respective “religion”) . . . this attitude of worship that we have just described is the basic difference between false worship and true worship.

    Do we worship God for what WE might gain . . . or do we worship God because we want to express our gratitude for not only the blessings of this life . . . but also for the blessing of eternal life which we have received through faith and repentance?