EXCELLENCE and
"The peril of perfection".
OR Why some Baptists are
wary of "Osteenism".
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5 KJV)
SO . . . is humility " a sign
of weak character?"
To be humble is to accept one's fundamental lowliness and powerlessness, one's inadequacy and dependency, and the fact of one's ultimate origins in the earth, the humus. From dust we came, and to dust we shall return . . . but
NOT IN THE AGE OF
"The American Idol"! . . .
according
to Wilfred M. McClay:
the mighty god of "self-esteem" has been elevated to power and permitted to reign unchallenged.
There is obvious value in courage,
confidence, dignity and self-esteem
are prime character attributes
that are encouraged for success
in the world. Then we hear of the virtue of humility but what value is there in humility?
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10 KJV)
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11 KJV)
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3 KJV)
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (Galatians 6:3 KJV)
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26 KJV)
Notice what St Paul mentions twice:
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV)
Let us, Seeing Death as the ultimate humiliation, pray like David in Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days" & to apply ourselves wisely.
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