HUMILITY

Have you wondered why the humble ones are always use by God? Because God is a humble man. The humble nature of Jesus Christ reveals to us the mind of God.

 If we are to be vessels for God then we have to cultivate His nature of Humility. True humility does not produce pride but gratitude. Since God is our Creator and our redeemer, there is no bases for us to boost of our achievement.

You will realise that people always favour the humble presidential candidate, and lawyer, doctor, hair dresser, servant etc. God in His own wisdom always shows grace and honours the humble servant. 

Humility is a freedom from arrogance that grows out of the recognition that all we have and are comes from God. The Greek philosophers and indeed modern technocrats despised humility because it implied inadequacy, lack of dignity, and worthlessness to them. But humility is the only way to the top.

Do you want a promotion, desire a husband or wife, grace, forgiveness, favour and even Salvation then learn humility.

Your degrees, family connection, bank account, status etc. cannot take you where God through humility can take you.

This is what God tells us about Humility:

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN

The Bible has made it clear for us as Christians the kind of transformation that needs to be exhibited after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal savior.

In this brief message for new Christians, we want to look at the five things that should characterize every Christian living in any part of the world.

1.       Studying the Word of God

The Bible is the sword of the spirit and also the ultimate Word of God to all mankind. As a new Christian just like any Christian, you should spend most of your time studying the Word of God. It is through the Word that the Will of God concerning our lives are revealed and manifested.

When the devil (our enemy) comes knocking at the door with temptations and challenges, it is the Word of God that we use to attack him.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

2.       Prayer is the Key

No one is too busy to pray. Prayer is communicating with God. God is in control therefore it wise to always speak to him. He is the BOSS! Prayer is the secret weapon we use to fight the evil in the world. A prayerless Christian is a weak Christian.  We exercise faith in God when we pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

3.       Fellowship with brethren always

As a newly convert, there is a need to fellowship with your new family ALWAYS! It is by so doing that you learn more about Christ and also get answers to questions. You need to be at Sunday Service, Bible Studies and Prayer Meeting ALWAYS! Do not separate yourself from the gathering of the saints.

Hebrews 10: 25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

4.       Change of Character/ Hating Sin

There should be a different character personality as you have now become a Christian. All things and way of thinking are gone. The change of Character will make even unbelievers that note of you. There will always admire you secretly as you follow the Lord.  You have to hate the sin you were once use to. Hating them will directly prevent you from engaging in them.

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

5.       Bearing FRUITS

Every tree is expected to bear fruits in season. Therefore as a new Christian just like any other Christian, you have to bear fruits for the glory of God. Teaching the Word to others (Evangelize), serving in the Church, playing instruments, Ushering, Cleaning the Church, helping the poor, orphan, aged, widows etc can be ways you can bear fruits for the Lord.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

Fruits are the product of a seed which has been sown. Seeds are expected to be trees and then produce fruits for the community. The fruits the tree produces can either be good or bad depending on the environmental factors and other related activities.

God also expects Man (His Creation) to produce good fruits in other to give glory to His name. When bad fruits are produced then the Creator will have to cut down that tree so that it does not affect the other good trees.

Matthew 7:15- 20 says

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

We are either producing good fruits or bad fruits according the scripture. God sees that heart and he is the only person that can judge the motive and intentions of every human being. But Jesus gave us a how to identify a godly heart and people who care for him.

He said we should look at their deeds, actions, behavior, character and morals which make up the fruit of a person, in other to see what’s in the heart of the person.

So if a man proposes to you, and his actions do not match his fruits then you have to ignore such a person. The same applies to people to make promises and fail to redeem the promise. God says such people do not have a place in his kingdom.

Fortunately, this scripture does not only include false prophets and pastors but also Christians who fail to produce good fruits.

Matthew 12:33

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

The sum of the whole is, that ordinarily, and generally speaking, as men are, so are the doctrines they preach, and by them they may be known, and judged to be what they are. Christ here, and in the preceding verses, is speaking not of men of bad lives and conversations, who take upon them to teach others; for there is not so much reason to caution good men against these; they are easily detected, and generally discarded; but of men that put on sheep's clothing, who pretended to much holiness of life and conversation, and strictness of religion; and under that disguise delivered out the most corrupt and unwholesome doctrines; which tended greatly to depreciate him and his grace, and to do damage to the souls of men.