HUMBLING OURSELVES BEFORE GOD...

by Ronnie Mutina 

In our continuing study of Romans 12, I want to look at the verse that defines how each of us should be as Christians. Paul instructed us to dare to be different and present ourselves unto God and not of this world. However, I want to go to verse 3 this morning. Paul addresses the fact that we should be like Christ and not like the Pharisees or religious people of that day. Paul said, "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."

Last night my pastor preached on the fact that we should allow people to see that we know Jesus. He brought out the fact that when we claim Christ that other people watch us even closer and that we might be the only example of Christ some may ever see. We are to be bold about preaching the word. Most people, who are saved, believe that the preachers, pastors, and deacons are the only ones who are supposed to preach the gospel. However, we cannot find where it is just the preacher’s responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." We are to lead them to Christ.

However, I want to address something that affects each one of us today. It is becoming growingly clear that a lot of so – called Christians have a tendency to look down their nose at a certain group of people. This group of people is also wants to act like people are beneath them, and are not good enough to be saved. Yes, they may not say that in their words, but the do in their actions. Sometimes we have the same attitude as the Pharisee did in the prayers being lifted up by both a Pharisee and a Publican in Luke 18:10 - 11. In this particular passage, Jesus is speaking in parables, which means he was giving examples to people that they may have understood. In verse 9, it starts off "And HE spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others." He was addressing a certain group of people who thought themselves better than others. In verses 10 – 14, Jesus said, "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with in himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful unto me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

We see two different people praying to the same God. However, we see one that thinks that his good works and religious ways will keep him right with God. He considered himself already righteous. On the other hand, we see what men should pray. This man was humble and prayed that the Lord would be merciful unto him, and then he went on to acknowledge himself as, a sinner. He did not think of himself more highly than he ought to, did he?

I used to say I think, but I have come to the conclusion that I know, that people who have been saved forget where they came from. They forget that they had problems before they were saved. People have a tendency to forget that they were look down on before they were saved. We also see the fact that even though God forgives us of our sins, does not mean that people do, and we are still looked down on. These attitudes are not what God wants us to have. I think the Psalmist put in order when he said, "It is better to trust in God than to have confidence in man". (Psalm 188:8).

We are told, on more than one occasion, that pride is sin. In fact, God hates a proud look, as we are told in Proverbs 6. God will use every person to bring honor and glory to HIMSELF. As I have said before, the only thing man has control of is his testimony. It will be for God or against HIM.

For a man to think more highly of himself than he ought to, would be to the extent of exalting oneself above everyone else, including God in my opinion. When we begin to exalt ourselves, as Christians, we a doomed for a big fall. Solomon addressed this in Proverbs 16:18, when he said, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." In Proverbs 11:2, he tells us, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."

God loves a humble heart. A child of God should be humbled before God and then he will not put himself in the position of thinking of himself more highly than he ought to. God help us to be more like you and be servants to others. Amen.