Life Loving Jesus

Check out Part 1 of this series, Manifest the Kingdom HERE.

Humility brings us to a place where we are no longer looking inward for ways to manifest the Kingdom, but instead we see the outward manifestations of God in our lives. We start to experience new perspective, seeing through the mind of Christ. Jesus said:

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4

When we start to adopt this backwards thinking, recognizing that a dependent, child-like attitude is what we need, we allow God to show us the reality of His Kingdom.

God’s promise is that when we humble ourselves, He will lift us up (James 4:10). Becoming humble when things aren’t going my way seems a bit easier than staying humble when everything is going right. Practicing consistent humility is what being like a child is like. Children are constantly learning, absorbing their surroundings, growing into what they see and hear and experience. This total reliance on God to teach us what is holy and acceptable, is essential to teaching others by our actions and words.

At some point along our journey, we feel inadequate to share, talk about, or teach about God’s revelations to us. This is where humility comes back again and again in our lives – always asking God to live through us, in us and around us.

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19-20

Part of becoming humble is looking at myself to see if my righteousness is perfect. If what I see in myself is flawed, it means that I am in need of a Savior to heal my broken perception and cleanse my heart’s motives.

We are called to DO and TEACH the commands of God – this is the action of those who are called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. When we embrace the humble spirit of openness to God, He is able to do righteousness through us. Teaching the commands of God happens daily, in your regular interactions with other beings. Are you teaching love? Genuine compassion? Do you speak blessings and look for ways to be of service?

“He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:10-13

To become a humble servant, we must daily be examined by God, we must allow our attitude to be shaped by Him. The Scribes and Pharisees followed the law of Moses, but they were not righteous – because they chose to look down on others and judge their spiritual health. They didn’t choose to see what God sees – the genuine seeking heart of broken people.

Its an interesting picture we see here – these religious leaders who thought they had it right, were falling short of the Kingdom, and also preventing others from living in the Kingdom of Heaven! I do not want my journey with God to prevent people from seeing Him! This is why its so important to continue learning, to keep an open mind towards God, allowing Him to transform our thoughts and convictions! We cannot be so stuck on one thing or one set of things that we refuse to see God working in other people whom He has called and appointed to be His children!

“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” Romans 12:16

Associate with the humble – those people who are seeking truth, those people who have become like children, eager to absorb the true teachings of Jesus and experience radical life changing point of view. Edification happens when people come together, willing to learn and grow, and despite cultural, religious and geographical barriers exist, everyone is able to experience God and a new understanding of what living in the Kingdom of Heaven is like.