Holy Spirit Series #4----HUMILITY

Humility is an indispensable condition if we are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God, and it is extremely rare. We almost never hear messages on it, or read quality books on it, or know someone who exhibits it. Andrew Murray's book HUMILITY, should (in my HBAO) be reviewed every month. He defines the term as being totally dependent on the Lord, as opposed to the independent spirit of a proud person.

This is #4 in a series on the "Missing How" of living as God intended. Nothing is as important as understanding how God intends for us to think and live, now that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Yet few get it. It is also necessary that we know the reality of being 'dead to sin' and alive to God, and to consider it true for me. [Since I know that some of you are serious about this, I also listed some resources (books, verses, etc so you can replace some trash and wasted time in your schedule with great reading!] 

We also talked about the need for serious obedience, in everything; also a rare trait. No one can be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God unless they are motivated by love for Him that results in willing, continuous obedience. Lack of obedience equals lack of love for Him. The means to humility and obedience is much daily time in Bible study and prayer, ----often 'choked' out by the busyness and cares of our lifestyle. As John Piper's book says: DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE. (2003) [Be sure and read it]

This week I read David Jeremiah's book GOD IN YOU, Releasing the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life. (Multnomah 1998) It is an excellent 259 page easy-to-read examination of what we need to know in order to abide in Christ. (Amazon, used, for $7.25 including shipping.) I urge you to read it!

Pride is resident in every cell in our body. It started with Satan, and is alive and well today. God hates pride. Pride and abiding in Christ are utterly incompatible. Jesus is the example of a humble person. He never said He was no good..or that he couldn't do things right or that He was unworthy. He was not a 'wimp.' What He did exhibit was total dependence on the Father for everything He did and said. That is the true meaning of humility. It is the crowning grace of a follower of Christ. Has anyone ever accused you (and me) of being a genuinely humble person? 

Consider these marvelous statements::
    Jesus is my life
        What I have is what He is
            What He is, He is in me

bh June 2, 2007
Blog: http://blog.bertsgoodstuff.com