In Matthew 18, the disciples of Jesus asked Him who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is (Matthew 18:1). Interestingly, Jesus did not rebuke them for asking such a question. Rather, He showed them the key to being the greatest in the kingdom of God. This affirms the truth that in God’s kingdom, we are all are not the same. There is rank in the kingdom of God, based on the criterion God Himself has given. Even so, we should have no greater quest in this life than to be counted among the greatest in God’s kingdom. How do we achieve this?
In the words of Jesus, those who humble themselves as a child would are the greatest in His kingdom (Matthew 18:4). Humility is the way up. To fail to be humble, and thereby be proud, is not to merely miss out on being among the greatest in God’s kingdom. It’s to have God Himself oppose you, just as we read in Scripture: “God resists (opposes) the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). It will be far better to have the devil and all of hell resist you, than to have the Almighty God resist and oppose you. Therefore, be humble.
Humbling ourselves is not a task God performs on our behalf. It is a responsibility God has placed on us. So, we read in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up”. From this text, it is not God who does the humbling; we are to humble ourselves. 1 Peter 5:6 says the same thing, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”. We also read the same in James: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). From these texts, it is when we humble ourselves that God honours and lifts us up. And if we grow in humility to such a degree that we humble ourselves as little children, we are counted among the greatest in the kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 18:4). Also, it is when we first submit to God in humility, that we are able to resist the devil (cf. James 4:7).
Humility is not timidity. Rather, true humility equates to having the mind of Christ, and walking in obedience to God, just as we read in Scripture: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Philippians 2:5-9).
As Children of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, God has opened the door to each of us for greatness in His kingdom. The way to enter that door is to humble ourselves. This is our responsibility. Just as pride goes before a fall, so does humbling ourselves before God causes Him to lift us up to be counted among the greatest in His kingdom.
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
December 6, 2021.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.
As Christian’s, we need to humble. God bless you