1 Cor. 2:4 “And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of
power:”
Humility, this word means - a modest or low view of
one's own importance - Humility is a quality of being modest and respectful of
oneself and others. God said of our humility, “But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
(10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:6, 10 The Apostle Paul was writing to a church with many issues, but apparently
one of their problems was that they were low in understanding of God’s word.
Paul had a very humbled heart because God gave him a very humbled heart. Paul
understood this church’s issues and preached to them accordingly to their
understanding. Paul understood what grace is, and he also understood what mercy
is. God said in Pro. 22:4 “By humility and the fear of the LORD are
riches, and honour, and life.” We need to remember as Christians, church
members, church workers, teachers, and mostly as Pastors, that our fear of God
is our guide in our ministry and if we lose this fear or our reverence of God
then we will fail in our service to the Lord. Serving God is an honor, and we
ought not take it lightly or just as a work, but as an honor and privilege,
both to God and the Lord’s church. We never need to be critical of God’s people
not of God’s churches, and we always need to remember that whatever we are,
whatever our service is, it is by God’s grace. Paul was very loving to this church;
he was not critical of them but preached a sermon that the weakest believer
could understand. As teachers we must recognize the power of God’s word and
understand that it is the Holy Spirit is teaching it and not us. Paul did not
want to be recognized as a brilliant man of God, but he wanted God’s word and
powered to teach. Paul understood what all Christians need to understand, and
all Ministers and Pastors need to never forget, we are nothing, we have no
power, and that we are just humbled servants of God and by the power of God’s
Holy Spirit. I know a lot of great Ministers, teachers, and Pastors but the
greatest of them all are those with the greatest humbled hearts. Let us all let
Paul’s example be our teacher, it was not his experience or ability that gave
his ministry its power; it was the work of the Spirit of God. We must teach
that other believers may learn, not for self-performance. We are all teachers, instruments
of God’s power, understanding all accomplishments of that are of God and not of
us. We must remember that we are servants of Love and every sermon, every
conversation, every action, must be in love and in much mercy and grace, and by
God’s authority. Paul told this church in verse 3 “And I was with you in
weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” Paul was sharing in their
weakness understanding that their weakness was his own weakness, “But by the
grace of God I am what I am:” 1Co 15:10 Everything we are, as believers is
by God’s grace, and if we ever leave that state of mind, we are no longer
humbled. Paul reminds us “I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not
I, but the grace of God which was with me.” No matter how hard we work, how
hard we prepare, how hard we preach, or how high we rise, we are never better
that the Apostle Paul as a servant of God. Our fear and reverence of God keeps
us humble, but also our dependence on the power of God keeps us humbler like
Paul, never taking credit that belongs to God and always giving God the glory.
As fleshly people we will never be anything on our own, everything we become,
every advancement we make, every good work we perform, is God’s grace working
in us. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2
Corinthians 12:9 Thank you Lord God for the grace you have given us to be your
humbled servants.
