How can we practice humility in our faith community today? Standing by Faith, Not Pride “ ‘That is true. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be proud, but stand in awe.’ ” (Romans 11:20) • Faith, not self-effort, is what keeps us in God’s family. • Awe replaces arrogance when we remember that our standing is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Humility begins the moment we admit we are branches, not the root (Romans 11:18). Seeing Grace Behind Every Blessing • Every skill, ministry, or resource comes from the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:7). • Instead of boasting, we thank God aloud when praised, redirecting attention to His grace. • We celebrate others’ successes as evidence of the same grace at work in them. Thinking Soberly About Ourselves “ ‘For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…’ ” (Romans 12:3) Practical steps: – Regularly inventory motives: Am I serving for recognition or for Christ? – Invite trusted believers to speak correction; receive it without defensiveness. – Limit “I” language in testimonies; highlight what Christ has done. Preferring Others in Daily Interactions “ ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.’ ” (Philippians 2:3) Concrete habits: • Give the better seat, the last word, the first choice. • Listen twice as long as we speak (James 1:19). • Rejoice when someone else’s idea is chosen. Serving Quietly and Consistently Jesus washed feet (John 13:14-15). Follow His pattern: – Volunteer for unnoticed tasks: stacking chairs, cleaning, babysitting during study. – Serve without posting about it or expecting thanks (Matthew 6:1-4). – Let the spotlight fall on Christ’s love, not on our sacrifice. Submitting to God’s Word Together • Hold Scripture as the final authority, even when it confronts personal preferences. • When disagreements arise, open the Bible first, opinions second (Acts 17:11). • Accept correction joyfully; God “gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Encouraging a Culture of Honor “ ‘Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.’ ” (1 Peter 5:5) Ways a whole community models humility: • Leaders share responsibilities, showing they are servants, not celebrities. • Members publicly affirm quiet servers, teaching that hidden faithfulness matters. • Testimonies emphasize God’s power in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Living in Awe Every Day • Begin gatherings by recounting specific mercies from the past week. • Sing songs that exalt God’s greatness more than our feelings. • End each day by thanking the Lord for unearned blessings, keeping pride at bay. |
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