On My Mind III

"The key to humility is not merely feeling the absence of merit..., but feeling the presence of free grace." - John Piper, What Jesus Demands of the World, Demand #17, p.130

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matt. 5:3

Humility: Five Implications for Bold Truth-Telling
1. "...humility begins with a sense of subordination to God in Jesus." (Matt. 10:24)
2. "(Humility) is not a life based on perceived rights. It is a life of sacrifice." (Matt. 10:25)
3. "(Humility) speaks truth as a service to Christ and as love to the adversary." (Matt. 10:27-28)
4. "...humility knows it is dependent on grace for all knowing and believing and speaking." (John. 15:5)
5. "...humility knows it is fallible, and so considers criticism and learns from it, but also knows that God has made provision for human conviction and that he calls us to persuade others." (Matt. 18:15-17 & 28:19-20)

"Is not the most effective way of bridling my delight in being made much of, to focus on making much of God? Self-denial and crucifixion of the flesh are essential, but O how easy it is to be made much of even for my self-denial! How shall this insidious motive of pleasure in being made much of be broken except through bending all my faculties to delight in the pleasure of making much of God!...You have to go down deeper into the grave of the flesh to find the truly freeing stream of miracle water that ravishes you with the taste of God's glory. Only in that speechless, all-satisfying admiration is the end of self." (John Piper, What Jesus Demands of the World, p. 135-7)