S.Scripture | With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2–3
O.Observation | We continue the lesson now of what it is to “walk worthy of the calling (vs.1).” This passage calls us to live counter culturally, because by nature mankind is selfish and self-centered. Self is the most common thought, and because of this we protect self when offended and easily make ourselves into a victim by blaming others for problems. We are not naturally bent to be humble and self-reflective.
God’s ancient paths of living and thinking oppose all self-exaltation. We see this in the first lesson of verse 2, to walk worthy is to walk on the path of humility. Humility is “low-mindedness.” To get there we need to take see self from the perspective of scripture. God’s view, according to God’s Word is that our selfishness is sin, and deserve everlasting punishment. Even the next breath and moment of life is undeserved. We deserve condemnation right now. Why aren’t we in hell already? Because God is so good, He gives undeserved grace to all by allowing us to live.
If we understand ourselves rightly in this way we call ourselves “the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15),” and the dregs of the earth (1 Cor 4:13). We repent, yes. Yet as we begin the journey of His right way of living we find ourselves exhausted because not only are we so far from the way of His ancient paths, but there are areas in our life our flesh fights against submitting to Him. In other words, the more we grow towards God’s will, the more humble and low in our own eyes we will become. Can we say with Paul “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 7:24-25)?”
A.Application | Take some time to be real with God and confess your sin. Lay before Him your high view of self and ask Him to open your eyes through His Word to how badly you need His grace in thought, word and deed. Think when you encounter hardship, “I deserve hell right now,” so that with a low-mind you will be able to walk worthy.
P.Prayer | Father, I am not humble. Let your Word open my understanding of how sinful I am and undeserving of You and Your love. I deserve no good thing, yet you lavish blessings on me with life, family, health, friends and so much more. Give me a right view of myself, an honest and low mindedness that I might seek to give you the glory you deserve. That I might stop living so self-centeredly and start living God-centeredly. All for your glory! Amen.
