As the disciples were waiting for the next event a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. “Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name RECEIVES ME; and whoever receives Me RECEIVES HIM WHO SENT ME. For he who is LEAST among you all will be great.” (Luke 9:46-48)
Paul taught, “I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are ONE BODY IN CHRIST, and individually members of one another.” (Rom. 12:3-5) There is a good reason this lesson of humility is taught to us, it was revealed to Ezekiel about Satan, God says to Satan, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground…” (Ezekiel 28:15-17)
As a result of Satan’s pride God speaks through Isaiah, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground…For you have said in your heart: ‘I WILL ascend into heaven, I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God; I WILL also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds, I WILL be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to hell, To the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Finally, Paul teaches us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each ESTEEM (regard) OTHERS BETTER THAN HIMSELF. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. Let this mind BE IN YOU which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:3-5)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham