Dt. 32:39 π Psa. 115:3 π Prov. 16:5 π Prov. 16:19 π Dan. 4:37 π Hos. 6:1 π Jn. 8:28 π 2 Cor. 5:15 π Phlp. 2:13 π Jas. 4:6
“Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” ( Prov. 16:19; top )
If we are going to be like Jesus we will have no authority of our own; it all resides in the Father. Jesus said, “I do nothing except the Father tell Me.” (see Jn. 8:28; top ) We are totally alien to such a relationship because our ego and pride want to use God’s power in our own way. All healings and salvation ultimately come from God; God is not under any obligation to us and is simply not under our control or demands. He shows mercy on whomever He chooses.
Verses such as these have been disregarded by most Christians:
“God is in the Heavens, He has done whatever He has pleased.” ( Psa. 115:3; top )
“…For He has torn and He will heal us.” ( Hos. 6:1; top )
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” ( Phlp. 2:13; top )
“See now that I, even I, am He and there is no God with Me. I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal, neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand.” ( Dt. 32:39; top )
It’s not the verses pastors quote but those verses they leave out that show their error.
If the promotion of a teaching is producing an egocentric, self-assertive attitude, it is not the Spirit of Christ. Any teaching which exalts our own authority and abilities is the opposite of the entire gospel message of Jesus. This generating of a proud spirit will feed self-interest, thereby bypassing the self-sacrificing servant spirit of Jesus. “And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves…” ( 2 Cor. 5:15; top )
Joshua and Caleb are God’s men of renown, who were instrumental in showing the epitome of courage through their victorious report that the children of Israel could conquer the promised land.
After the many God-given victories, when it came time to divide the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, Joshua and Caleb, who had the authority to ask whatever they wished, yet sacrificially asked for little.
In Caleb’s choice, instead of asking for a nice piece of fertile land by the Jordan, asked for the mountain area where the three giant sons of Anak still lived, who had terrified the people for 40 years.
At 85 years of age, Caleb met them in battle and defeated them for the mountain.
In Joshua’s case, he could have asked for almost anything as their victorious leader, but he asked for one little ruined city, which he had to rebuild.
These examples of these men using their authority sacrificially were the attributes of two truly great men of God.
We will never be judged by our prosperity, authority or success, but by our sacrifices.
“God is opposed to the proud…” ( Jas. 4:6; top )
“Everyone who is proud is an abomination to the Lord.” ( Prov. 16:5; top )
“…And those who walk in pride He is able to abase.” ( Dan. 4:37; top )
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