Humility and a Servant's Heart

 

Humility and a Servant's Heart

 

(Matt 20:25) But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

 

The ways of this fallen world are contrary to the ways of God. Many boast of their knowledge, or seek after money, power, or fame. However, God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble. Those who desire to be first will be last, and those who desire power, will be brought to shame. If you want to be great in the kingdom of God, you must learn to be a servant to all. We are not above our master; Christ came to teach us the ways of the Father, as well as to give his life as a ransom for many. Christ was an example of servanthood; he came to serve, rather than to be served. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples in humility and told us to do likewise. The lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life will pass away with this fallen world, but those who do the will of God will live forever.

 

(1 John 2:16) For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

The apostle Paul was given many great revelations and performed miracles through the power of God’s Spirit, but he was also an example of humility. Paul said that God gave him a thorn in the flesh (a messenger from Satan sent to buffet him), so that he would not become puffed up, due to his many revelations. Paul prayed three times that this thorn be removed, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It is better to be humbled by God, than to lose your soul.

 

I have seen many ministries fall because of pride, as well as the love of money and power. Many of the generals of the faith were spiritually killed, because they were given over to the lusts of their flesh. Sexual immorality and greed has killed many ministries. Kenneth Hagin Sr. is the founder of the heretical prosperity gospel. On his deathbed, Hagin repented for leading many astray with this deceptive doctrine. He urged other ministries to abandon what he called the Midas-gold doctrine.

 

Sadly, this doctrine which justifies fleecing the flock, is very much alive. Many television evangelists, mega-church leaders, as well as common churches worldwide, embrace this doctrine of spiritual death. The ministers who rob the poor, in order to live in mansions, and drive luxury cars, will answer to God on Judgment Day. Christ said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter heaven. Pastors, teachers, as well as other ministers, need to lead by example, as the early apostles did. Rather than to be served, we need to learn to serve others. Let us all walk in the fear of the Lord.

 

(Prov 16:18) Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

(John 13:3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.