Those Who Love are HUMBLE

 In the Bible, 1Cor 13, has been dubbed the “love chapter”. However, within those “love” verses there is mention of a number of actions that can be performed in PRIDE:  the gift of prophecy and tongues, the knowledge of mysteries and faith to move mountains; even giving to the poor and giving one’s life. It then states that NONE of these actions are worth anything without love!

The Apostle Paul goes on to say:  “Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy, love does not boast itself and is not lifted up.  Love does not behave badly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things!”  (1Cor 13:4-7) When you look over this chapter, over this list of “love” qualities, you can see that putting all of that into action requires humility!  

It takes humility to be considerate and compassionate. And that kind of love and humility can only be achieved when the Holy Spirit is working through us.  In our natural “man”, our tendency is towards “self”, pride and our own carnal reasoning. The Holy Spirit will always represent Jesus and the Father and acts and guides in love, not pride.  “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Ja 4:6)

As born-again Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit, we have this great advantage and ability to receive God’s grace and act it out in love, and not pride.

Even Jesus humbled Himself to be and do all that God was asking of Him.  He was to be the embodiment of the love of God for us to see and that required humility.  “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phi 2:4-8)

It’s sad when people lean towards legalism and self righteousness which always ministers to our pride, rather than being led by the Spirit of God, which is always motivated by love.

Christianity is not a set of rules, but a relationship with Jesus and the Father through the Holy Spirit. Human nature is such that we would rather rely on ourselves than rely on the Holy Spirit, and that is pride. What it all comes down to, like in 1Cor 13, is that when we follow legalism and act in pride, love just is no longer the motivation!  Really, the truly humble are the truly loving.

Jesus told a parable about this: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.’” (Luke 18:11) As Christians, and disciples of Jesus, our greatest sample and testimony is one of LOVE!  “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have LOVE..” (Jn 13:35)

Humility and love are totally inseparable. You cannot have love for others in both words and actions without genuine humility.

You cannot be loving, concerned, compassionate, forgiving, understanding, longsuffering…and manifest the fruits of the Spirit without humility and love.

Even with the Lord, once we have learned that God really loves us and Jesus died for us and that He cares for us, we have to yield and humble ourselves to receive the Lord’s love. Let’s face it, it’s a humbling thing. But on the other hand there is perfect rest and humility because humility has love and faith without fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”  (1John 4:18)

It is possible to walk in humility, expressing God’s love in all situations.  Receiving God’s grace is just how to do that:  “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.”  (1Pt 5:5)