“Humility”!

Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” 

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

Walking through a mall filled with shoppers, a friend asked if Yeshua’s followers believed they were superior to those walking in darkness.

That question brought me to wondering how many within the Assembly possibly could fall into this thought process? Then the Holy Spirit brought me to the following, as the Apostle Paul ran into this as well and explained how to overcome this temptation.

In Philippians 2:3 Paul reveals how many through vanity, are tempted to divide their walk from those who are not a part of our journey. Nothing through strife or vain-glory. These are the two most dangerous pests for disturbing the peace of the Assembly.

Strife is awakened when everyone is prepared to maintain tenaciously to his own opinion, and when it has once begun to rage, it rushes headlong in the direction from which it has entered.

Vain-glory tickles men’s minds so that everyone is delighted with his own inventions. Hence the only way of guarding against dissensions is — when we avoid strifes by deliberating and acting peacefully, primarily if we are not actuated by ambition. 
But by humility. For both diseases, Paul brings forward one remedy — humility, and with good reason, for it is the mother of moderation, the effect of which is that yielding up our own right, we give the preference to others, and are not easily thrown into agitation.

He provides a definition of true humility when everyone esteems himself less than others. Now, if anything in our whole life is complicated, this above everything else is so. Hence it is not to be wondered if humility is so rare a virtue. For, as one says, “Everyone has in himself the mind of a king, by claiming everything for himself.” See! Here is pride. Afterward from a foolish admiration of ourselves arises contempt of the brethren. And so far are we from what Paul here enjoins, that one can hardly endure that others should be on a level with him, for there is no one that is not eager to have superiority.

But it is asked, how it is possible that one who is in reality distinguished above others can reckon those to be superior to him who he knows is significantly beneath him? My answer, this altogether depends on a right estimate of God’s gifts and our own infirmities.

For however any anyone may be distinguished by illustrious endowments, he ought to consider with himself that they have not been conferred upon him that he might be self-complacent, that he might exalt himself, or even that he might hold himself in esteem. Let him, instead of this, employ himself in correcting and detecting his faults, and he will have abundant occasion for humility.

In others, on the other hand, he will regard exaltation whatever there is of excellence and will utilizing love to bury their faults. The man who will observe this rule will feel no difficulty in preferring others before himself. And this, too, Paul meant when he added, that they ought not to have everyone regard to themselves, but to their neighbours, or that they ought not to be devoted to themselves. Hence it is entirely possible that a pious man, even though he should be aware that he is superior, may nevertheless hold others in higher esteem.

OPENING PRAYER by Robert
Thank you, Father, in heaven for the knowledge to recognize all the gifts, which You have bestowed into our relationship with you. I pray Lord for all to be guided through the Holy Spirit to learn the complete use of their discernment. Bring into our lives Father the strength to accept your teachings as food for the spirit and soul to nurture our growth. Open our minds to receive our personal reviews once we complete our own assessments, so we might with humbleness bring before your throne those areas of our walk needing your guidance, correction, and forgiveness. In all things Father, we pray in the name of Yeshua, Amen, and Amen.

 

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert

The questions which come back at me, “What is there to prevent being taken advantage of by those in the world?” “What is there to prevent being humiliated by those walking in the darkness?” What comes to mind when I hear these questions brings back the early teaching [as a gift] Yeshua bestowed on us “Matthew 10:16 Behold I send you forth as sheep amid wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

We must, having gifts, from our Lord understand how and when to use them. In (Philippians 2:3), Paul is teaching how to use our gifts in a manner that would not place us in the eyes of others as being superior. But rather just a little more understanding, an excellent example to emulate. The other answer we recite to ourselves, [to] avoid contention and keep the peace is we are not of this world, just passing through and as such being a good Samaritan.

What, do we know of “hope?” We understand “hope” is powerful when connected with prayer and faith! Do we recognize when it is sure hope our heart rejoices with Joy of the soul, gladness of our tongue, and quietness of our whole body,

When we fail to get past our feelings, we need to be careful and sorrowful not to do, “fail that is.” The following enters into our walk. As a result, being miserably tormented and the belief we are destitute of God’s help.

Enter trust in our lives that God will not only deliver us from carefulness but also replenish our hearts with incredible Joy (and gladness.) This joy is the same joy Yeshua, promised his disciples should be full in them and testified could not be taken from them (John 16:22.) We hear Yeshua expressing the greatness of this joy cannot be kept in and will break forth into the gladness of the tongue.

The rest of the flesh signifies the quietness. Of the whole man, which we have through the protection of God. If any man object, that the peace of the faithful consists of the spirit, and it is not in the flesh. The answer that the faithful do rest in the body; not that they are free from troubles, but because they believe God cares for them wholly and that not only their soul shall be safe through this protection, but their body as well.

Here is a definition of a Philosopher who plays into the content of this article: the act or means of enlightening: the state of being enlightened. They are individuals who seek the following: a person who studies ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc.

Sitting with a group of friends and believers discussing life and our walk with Yeshua. When a complete stranger joined our group and began to relate to all that they should not be mesmerized by my utterances as I was a philosopher spreading lies and should be avoided. He then left asking for all to follow him. No one moved, however, there were some great questions.

The one which stood out among all was “How do we know Yeshua will keep all his promises?” To answer properly I reached out to John Gill for commentary about (Acts 2:26): Therefore did my heart rejoice,… Because he always had the truth, faithfulness, and power of God in his view, and the presence and protection of God with him. And which are sufficient to make the hearts of his people, as well as of him, to rejoice.  And my tongue was glad: in the Hebrew text it is, “my glory.” 

Because that is the glory of the body. But our apostle rightly interprets it of the tongue, which is so-called, (Psalms 30:12; Psalms 57:8 and Psalms 108:1). Because it is both the glory of man, for that being endowed with the faculty of speaking, gives him a glory above the brute creatures.

And because it is that by which he glorifies God, by ascribing greatness to him, speaking of his marvellous works, and singing his praises, as Yeshua did, in the great congregation, among his apostles, a little before his death. Moreover, also my flesh shall rest in hope, or “safely”; meaning, that his body should lie quietly in the grave, as in its resting place from all toil and labour, pains and sorrows, and be secure from worms, or any corruption. Or this may be understood of his person being in a quiet, firm, and full hope of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal life and glory.

As a servant of Yeshua being a Watchman dedicated to our Lord sharing what the gift of Hope is and having one walking in darkness seeing the light and identifying it. Should assure all our Lord Yeshua will keep all promises and we must remain, in hope and humility, until the promises are finished.

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Father in heaven thank you for all you have provided at this table, for those who have joined you to sup. Bless that which was prepared and served as it was abundant and filled our spirits. We thank you, Lord, for preparing us for this banquet, bring knowledge, understanding, and the ability to spiritually discern the teachings from the Holy Spirit. Thy hands have shaped and molded us, you have filled us with your knowledge, so we may go forward sharing your words, commandments, and Laws as humble servants filled with humility. Thank you, Father, for being with us. This we pray in the name of Yeshua, Amen, and Amen.

CLOSING STATEMENT by Robert

In closing, I am answering the question of what if we are ridiculed by referring to    2 Corinthians 4:7-9, this scripture shows who is in control when we live with humility in our lives. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.“

I turned to Matthew Henry for his comments which go as follows: ” Works of charity, like other good works, should be done with thought and design. Due thought, as to our circumstances, and those we are about to relieve will direct our gifts for charitable uses. Help should be given freely, be it more or less; not grudgingly, but cheerfully. While some scatter, and yet increase; others withhold more than is meet, and it tends to poverty. If we had more faith and love, we should waste less on ourselves, and sow more in the hope of a full increase. Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a significant increase of spiritual and of good temporal things. He can cause us to have enough in all things, and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown. We must show the reality of our subjection to the gospel, by works of charity. This will be for the credit of our profession, and to the praise and glory of God. Let us endeavour to copy the example of Christ, being unwearied in doing good, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Blessed be God for the unspeakable gift of his grace,. Whereby he enables and inclines some of his people to bestow upon others, and others to be grateful for it. And blessed be his glorious name to all eternity, for Jesus Christ, that inestimable gift of his love, through whom this and every other good thing, about life and godliness, are freely given unto us, beyond all expression, measure, or bounds.  

Blessings to all, and hold this “For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Remember these articles are messages given unto a humble servant as a Watchmen sounding the Trumpet of impending danger ahead. May our Father abundantly fill your plates. God’s blessings Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hands. Psalm 149:6