I Was Just Thinking About – HUMILITY.
Many years ago (1944), there was a man who excelled in Track. His name was Gil Dodds. At that time, he established himself as a premier runner and set the one mile track record. He loved the Lord and made himself available to attend and give his testimony at Youth Rallies. When asked for an autograph, he would sign his name with a reference to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” In his testimony, he would remind the youth of a basic rule for life: “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.”
Attached to a sport’s story on a kindness shown by Cam Newton, was the following: “Dr. Tabor’s Three Lessons on Humility.”
1. Do Not Judge a Book by its Cover. A rather unoriginal and (perhaps) overused aphorism, but true none-the-less. We should not presume to understand the heart of someone we do not know. Only God knows the hearts of men. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts,” (Psalm 139:23).
2. Recognize that Every Person is made in God’s Image. Did you know that you were made in God’s image? You did? Well, did you know that the driver who cut you off on your way to work this morning was ALSO made in God’s image? Part of being human is recognizing the inherent value of every individual. Cherish the value that God has given every human being. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them,” (Genesis 1:27).
3. Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated. Another over used aphorism is the “Golden Rule.” This rule is “golden” because if you follow it, other moral behaviors will naturally follow. “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 7:12).
Dr. Tabor issues a challenge: “Recognize the value of someone, today! Perform a random act of kindness…”
Some people love the attention of others and the personal recognition they receive. A cautionary word for them is Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Why/How should we respond to others with kindness and humility? The guideline and purpose for us – I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Peter echoed these words – I Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayerfully – consider these things with me!
Many years ago (1944), there was a man who excelled in Track. His name was Gil Dodds. At that time, he established himself as a premier runner and set the one mile track record. He loved the Lord and made himself available to attend and give his testimony at Youth Rallies. When asked for an autograph, he would sign his name with a reference to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” In his testimony, he would remind the youth of a basic rule for life: “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.”
Attached to a sport’s story on a kindness shown by Cam Newton, was the following: “Dr. Tabor’s Three Lessons on Humility.”
1. Do Not Judge a Book by its Cover. A rather unoriginal and (perhaps) overused aphorism, but true none-the-less. We should not presume to understand the heart of someone we do not know. Only God knows the hearts of men. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts,” (Psalm 139:23).
2. Recognize that Every Person is made in God’s Image. Did you know that you were made in God’s image? You did? Well, did you know that the driver who cut you off on your way to work this morning was ALSO made in God’s image? Part of being human is recognizing the inherent value of every individual. Cherish the value that God has given every human being. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them,” (Genesis 1:27).
3. Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated. Another over used aphorism is the “Golden Rule.” This rule is “golden” because if you follow it, other moral behaviors will naturally follow. “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 7:12).
Dr. Tabor issues a challenge: “Recognize the value of someone, today! Perform a random act of kindness…”
Some people love the attention of others and the personal recognition they receive. A cautionary word for them is Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Why/How should we respond to others with kindness and humility? The guideline and purpose for us – I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Peter echoed these words – I Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayerfully – consider these things with me!
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