What does success look like to you? Often people think of those who have been successful in their careers— “high achievers.” People may measure our success by our position, power, fame, achievements, influence, or financial status, but God doesn’t. God measures our success by our spiritual humility.
While completing my research for and writing “The Ultimate Hunt,” I was challenged and humbled. I endeavored to identify the character of God to help the reader better understand what makes God God. When I reflect upon the awesome power, infinite holiness, sovereignty, might, majesty, and glory of God, I can see my own sin so clearly and see how ordinary I am in comparison. Focusing on who God is gives us perspective and humility.
Humility is not an outward demeanor as much as it is a heart attitude and understanding of your proper place before God. When the prophet Isaiah was confronted by the reality of God Almighty, he shrunk back in humility:
“Then I said, ‘Woe to me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of armies.’” (Isaiah 6:5)
When the disciples saw the power of Jesus as He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee, they also shrunk back in humility: “They became very much afraid and said to one another, ‘Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’” (Mark 4:41). While fear and humility are natural responses when we face the presence of the One true God in our lives, God does not leave us bowed down in awe or cowering in fear. Some people think having humility means we must remain in this shrunken posture, but Scripture says otherwise: “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10).
The Apostle Paul wrote, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7). Despite what the world calls success, there is no greater position than to be seated with Christ.
If we are humbled in spirit, knowing that we are saved by grace, we will be sanctified—set apart and freed—and ultimately glorified. Humility brings us to a place of repentance; it makes us very aware of our sin. It also brings us to a place of being fully dependent on God rather than ourselves. Ultimately, repentance and dependence on God bring us closer to our Savior. Dr. Charles Stanley said, “Our intimacy with God is His highest priority for our lives because it determines the impact of our lives. The more profound our fellowship with the Father, the more powerful our lives will be—regardless of whether we’re educated, attractive, wealthy, or of prominent social standing. We don’t have to be perfect, not by any means. No, it is our relationship with God that makes all the difference in our lives— our love for Him, our willingness to serve Him, and our dependence upon His Holy Spirit.” Spiritual success really does depend on Who you know—and that “Who” is Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 77:11-15
Personal Application: What stands between you and an intimate relationship with Jesus? Is it pride, busyness, sin, or self-reliance? This week, begin a habit of sitting still in the presence of the Lord, remembering all He is, all He has done, and all He will do. Allow yourself to be in awe – humble and repentant before Him. You will come to experience the best kind of success: intimacy with the One true God.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5