Verse of the Day 5/1

Through the Bible - 2 Chronicles 7-9, John 13:21-14:14

 

Good morning,

A trait that is hard to find in today's advertising, movies, videos and in culture in general is humility.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Ephesians where Paul, literally, a prisoner for the Lord speaks of the necessity of having this trait if we are to "walk worthy" of Christ.

 

Eph 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  NIV

This absence of humility is not limited to our day, it is a human trait.  In his commentary on this passage John MacArthur writes, "humility is a term not found in the Latin or Greek vocabularies of Paul's day.  The Greek word was apparently coined by Christians, perhaps even by Paul himself, to describe a quality for which another word was unavailable.  Humility, the most foundational Christian virtue (James 4:6) is the quality of character commanded in the first beatitude (Matt. 5:3) and describes the noble grace of Christ."

 

Though rare in society it is this quality that God has always looked for in implementing His plans.  Moses asked "who am I", David questions "what is man that you are mindful of him", revealing an absence of pride and dependence on God.

 

Read the passage below from The Message.  How does God's Word speak to you today?

Don't follow your own path to nowhere, in humility, walk where He leads.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Eph 4:1-8

 

4 In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk — better yet, run! — on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline — not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

 

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

 

But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.   - The Message