Humility - The Path to Christlikeness

Humility is the virtue that attracts God's transforming grace according to Pastor Francis Frangipane. Scripture makes it clear, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) If we want to become more Christlike, we must allow humility to do its work, because it is the basis for transformation. Meekness or humility must become a way of life.
 
The root of all sin comes from pride. We must ask ourselves, "What spirit am I rooted in, pride or humility?" Pride is our fleshly nature, and Satan is all about going after it! He is very familiar with pride, because this is the sin that reared its ugly head in him when he lived in heaven and led to him being expelled. Isaiah 14:12-15 describes Satan's fall:  "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthrone on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the top of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit." Ever since his fall, Satan's goal has been to neutralize our walk with God. He wants to make us ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Keeping this in mind will help us to surrender our souls to the Lord.
 
There are two verses in the Beatitudes that address our need for humility. "Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who recognize their need for constant help from God) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:2, 5) Jesus is our source of humility and holiness. Our goal while we are on earth should be to become more like Him. It is pride that gives us hard hearts so that we cannot see our needs. If we are full of self, we cannot be filled with God. That is why, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
 
Jesus uses the parable of the wheat and tares to teach His listeners about two types of people who co-exist. The enemy comes to sow tares in the Lord's field of wheat. Jesus, representing the farmer, explains that the tares cannot be uprooted until harvest time because the wheat may be uprooted with them. Both must grow side by side. (Matthew 13:24-30)
 
The wheat represents the Believer whom God is growing in Christlike character, while the tares represent unbelievers. As the wheat and tares grow, it is difficult to discern the difference between them. Yet, one is producing grain in its head while the other is barren. It is through the tares that the wheat learns how to live in a Christlike way. These godly behaviors include forgiveness, compassion for others, humility, and love. At harvest time, when the Lord looks at His field, it becomes evident who is humble. The head of the wheat, heavy with grain or the fruits of the Spirit, bows before its Creator while the tare stands straight with nothing to offer Him.
 
Psalm 25:9 says, "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Our goal in life should be to become like Christ. When we humble ourselves before Him, He guides us. Our prayer should be that we will grow into the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Humility is the key!