Devotionals

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The Bible grants permission to the humble to be proud but striclty forbid it for the advantaged. This is one of the most powerful sensible paradoxes in the Bible (see James 1:9-10 below).

Andrew Murray noted something that I believe gives the best Christian perspective on managing God’s favours in our life. He points out an important lesson from the vine, that is, ‘the most laden branches bow the lowest’ (see “Abide in Christ” pg. 132).

When we are laden with the fruits of God’s favour, we have to bow lowest. That is the natural thing to do—spiritually speaking. The following are the virtuous benefits of this:

i) It shows our humility.

ii)It is only when we bow the lowest that lowly will be able to access the fruit we bear.

We must not expect the lowly to stretch themselves in order reach the fruit we have. Instead, we should bend the lowest in order to reach them—they are the ones the Lord refereed to as “the least of these brothers of mine” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

The question is: are God’s favours in our life making us get closer or are they pushing us away from the lowly? We have instructions:

“Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16 NIV).

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV).

Boasting is allowed, but only for the 'right people' and at the 'right place'. This is what James1:9-10 teaches:

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower (Note: bold my emphasis).

Watch out!: It one thing preaching humility, it is another practising it.

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