Humility Rather than Self-Sufficiency
Every Christian loves and accepts the word of God, right? Not necessarily. James warns believers to receive the word of God with humility. God knows our hearts and its possibilities. He graciously warns and gives room for us to look intently at His word to see where we fall short with the grace and mercy we need to repent and do His will. Humility receives, self-sufficiency rejects God’s Word.
The Word Implanted Saves Our Souls
James 1:18 teaches that God saved us through the preaching or teaching of the word of truth, the gospel of Jesus Christ. God exercised His will to bring us into His kingdom, and He did it effectively through the word of truth.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the word of truth was implanted in us at the new birth. It brought about faith. It is in us and a part of us. It saved our souls, and it continues to work in us. The writer of Hebrews gives us a glorious grace-filled definition of God’s word. He says, “The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
These are soul-saving words. They read us, lay open our hearts, and judge us. Because the word is implanted and lives in us, it can bring about change when we are quick to hear, slow to speak, and willing to put it aside.
Self-Sufficiency Rejects and Holds Onto the Old Life
James instructs us to put aside all that remains of filthiness and wickedness. Paul tells us to “Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:24. You are a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Self-sufficiency, the liar it is, will try to live independently of God and His truth. She tries to hold onto the old life that is passing away. As it passes our hold on it, it will drag us down with it, leaving us wanting and covered in the dust of its delusion.
None of us are immune to its lure. There are areas in our lives that need pruning of self and the need to do it ourselves. In humility, let’s receive. James 1:21.
Humility Receives and Walks in the New Life
Humility or meekness is a state of mind and heart that does not argue with the word of God; it accepts it for what it is, the word of God, which performs its work in you. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Humility trusts and seeks wisdom and knowledge. It bows the knee to God’s instruction with a teachable, submissive heart. It is ready to walk in the newness of life, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13.
What If I Do Not Like What God’s Word Says? We will never be perfect or sinless on this side of heaven, but God can and will change a heart that seeks to know his truth and asks Him for help. There will sometimes be truths that cause us to push back. But the truth is bolder and sweeter than what sets itself against it. Seek it with humility. Remember humility receives self-sufficiency rejects God’s Word.
Learn more about walking in humility and grace from our Inductive BIble Study in James
