Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.
Yes, all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility; for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble. Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time:
1Peter 5:5-6
We all must be careful and to be vigilant ensuring that our hearts are right and our motives pure. This is possible for us as we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can only operate upon us with effectiveness if we stay in proper relationship with God and keep our hearts pure. Due you want Divine intervention to win this battle between Authenticity and cultural or liberality? This requires discipline, watchfulness, and God will have His way with you and you will be a servant of God with Authentic Christian Faith. This intervention by God begins with us as we develop true humility. True humility is a hallmark of Authentic Christian Faith.
Cultural Christians have a nicety about them, a friendliness, even are kind to others, yet, far too often this attitude rarely enables a person to promote happiness in others or to aid in the welfare of others because it is done, even is not admitted, not done without the praise, the applause or recognition of others. I see students of the Bethel School of the Supernatural going about praying with others, giving hope about healing of some disease or ailment, and the recipient is often left with some peace or hope. All seems good, but is it? How can it be good if the Gospel is not preached and it is seldom, if ever, preached or taught by those going about praying for others when what is needed is for a person to come to know Jesus Christ? The student feels godly, even pious, having done something for Christ. Have they? No! They feel good, and in time, when nothing happens, oh, maybe there will be some relief mentally, but physically? NO! Many anecdotes are presented as to someone being healed, someone being raised from the dead but like the Mormons who present some evidence to prove their theology, there is no real, if ever, validation.
Authentic Christians, those with true, not false, humility are not seeking the praise of others. Why should they? Are they not only doing what God, what Jesus commanded them to do? Yes! So they are only do what is required and by doing so they are blessed, but this takes genuine humility, and this leads to joy and love. True humility is the key! Authentic Christians are oblivious as to what others think as to what they do, as true humility does not seek to be noticed. Love, humility, these are the marks of Authentic Christians and are not seeking the favor of men, rather they are seeking the favor of God, and this is the motivating factor. Selfishness is thrown out the window, replaced by the reflection of the character of Jesus Christ. Not some devised theological position as is seen by cultural Christians as seen with liberal Christians that allow all sorts of sin and false teaching into their Churches. How do we know that they are introducing, or have introduced false teaching, sin into their Churches? It is easy: READ YOUR BIBLE! FOLLOW WHAT IT SAYS TO DO, AND DO NOT DO WHAT IT SAYS NOT TO DO! DON'T ADD TO THE BIBLE! How can homosexuality, abortion, protecting illegal immigrants, allowing for women to preach when the Bible is clear that men are to lead the congregation. Yes, women are capable, but women are not to lead, they have an important part in the raising of children, being Sunday School teachers, to be part of evangelism, etc., and they are not less than men: It is that as true humble people of God we follow the plan God has set forth.
Are you humbling yourself under the hand of God? Or, are you still seeking the praise from others, especially those who are not Christian? So you want to be exalted by God? Well, be humble, be Authentic, and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ who is God, manifested in the flesh, died for you and as God, the creator, the Word of God, He is making intercession for you, do the same for others, make intercession for them, be a prayer warrior for others, not asking so much for yourself: i.e., jobs, money, position, etc., but to bring your cares to Him. Do you care for others? If yes, then pray for them. Be humble, be Authentic, and in time you will be exalted by God.
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh,
and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God
of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to
humble thyself before me? Let my people go,
that they may serve me.
Exodus 10:3
Humility before man and God: Your Authenticity
Richard L. Crumb
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