Exaltation Through Humility

What is humility?

In Philippians 2:8-9 Paul explained that Jesus’ example of humility was sacrificial, authentic, and it  impacts everyone and everything.

I want to let scripture, do the talking on this one…

Personal Application

Matthew 23:11-13 –

The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.

1 Peter 5:5-10 –

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Proverbs 11:2; 15:33; 29:23 –

a.      When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

b.      The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

c.       One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

What does exaltation mean?

It brings wisdom- we will be recognized for our ability to give wise counsel and make wise decisions.

It brings honor- people will give us honor even when we don’t deserve it sometimes, because people see us as being full of wisdom and humility… they will honor us more than simply respecting us.

It brings grace- God shows grace through the shed blood of Jesus but scripture teaches that God bestows extra measures of grace on those who serve him well and do so humbly. Our humility brings God’s favor and grace.

It brings us into the presence of God and allows us to have favor and a personal connection to and relationship with him. It allows us to lead others in doing the same.

Lastly… It makes us more like Jesus! This is the “ultimate” goal of every believer, to mature in our faith and become more like Jesus. This is spiritual maturity and it is what we are to strive towards daily.

Final Thought

I am reminded of an old song we used to sing as kids at church or camp. It goes, “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord. Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord. And He will lift you up. Higher and higher… And He will lift you up.”

The only way to be lifted and exalted with God, by God, is to humble ourselves, to submit ourselves to His Lordship. He will humble us when needed. Its much easier when we do it.