hu-mil’-i-ti (~[`anawah]; tapeinophrosune):
(1) The noun occurs in the Old Testament only in Prov. 15:33; 18:12; 22:4, but the adjective “humble” appears frequently as the translation of `ani, `anaw, shaphal, meaning also “poor,” “afflicted”; the verb, as the translation of `anah, “to afflict,” “to humble,” and of kana`, “to be or become humbled”; tsana`, “to be lowly,” occurs in Mic 6:8. For “humble” (Ps 9:12; 10:12) the Revised Version (British and American) has “poor”; Ps 10:17; 34:2; 69:32, “meek”; for “humbled” (Ps 35:13), “afflicted” (Isa 2:11; 10:33), “brought low”; for “He humbleth himself” (Isa 2:9) “is brought low,” margin “humbleth himself”; Ps 10:10, “boweth down”; tapeinophrosune is translated “humility” (Col 2:18,23; 1 Pet 5:5); in several other places it is translated “lowliness” and “lowliness of mind”; tapeinos is translated “humble” (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5; elsewhere “lowly,” etc.; 1 Pet 3:8, tapeinophron), the Revised Version (British and American) “humble-minded”; tapeinoo, “to humble,” occurs frequently (Mt 18:4; 23:12, etc.); tapeinosis is “humiliation” (Acts 8:33); for “vile body” (Phil 3:21) theRevised Version (British and American) gives “body of our humiliation.”
I find it difficult at times to be humble and it is to my disgrace. So it is with all of us at some point in time and yet, this “humility” is a very important ingredient for our soul and spirit when we deal with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is this “state of being” we must be when we come before the Creator of all that there is or will ever be! You are standing in the presence of God Almighty!
As you have read above, humility is the “posture” we must assume before God and this is physically and spiritually. Jesus says in Mathew 11:27-30:
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The endeavor of each and every person who KNOWS Jesus Christ as their personal Savior should be to be LIKE Him! When Jesus Christ was here on earth, this was the posture that HE took before us; meek and lowly in heart. What better way to say HE Loves us, than to be willing to wash our feet. So there is the context our hearts should be filled with, when we deal with others! How better to defeat aggression before it takes place.
When we are “humble” before others we speak of the love (God) we find in our hearts. Having stated this according to the Word of God, where does this leave those that are not humble? The act of being “humble” is Godly, therefore…it is─arrogance─which is the opposite and is the product of Satan. Thus, we see that “love” is the opposite of “hate” and so on and so on, right down the middle. I must inject here that these are not mere words, they are not adjectives, they are true nouns.
Looking at these words according to our English language, these names are of a “state of being” not a “state of mind,” but is inclusive of every thought, word or action, which is physical and spiritual all at once. We are all fallen beings, because of our sin and as human beings we will forever be stricken with sin. This is the defining line in our lives! It is the question of: “What must we do, concerning our sinful nature, when we come to Jesus Christ? What will be our future, considering our sin?” Jesus stated, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
It says in John 3:17-21: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
We that KNOW Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are IN his Light, we are saved by HIS forgiveness of our sin…this is where the big black line is laid for every single person that has ever lived on this small planet! YOU stand either on one side or the other…there is no way to be a line sitter…there is no “gray area” here! The Word of God, having stated this, the question then is… Which side of that line are YOU standing on?
I have written many times about the Rapture that is coming so very soon, as have so many others. This is the “defining line” that we are talking about! This is the exact line that will divide all people, according to whom they wish to follow: Jesus Christ or the other guy. Knowing this from God’s Word the Bible, we can easily see that the fruit we produce will identify us! It is the beginning of our very thoughts that bring about the actions in our lives and these actions are the “fruit.”
Take a look at a thief…his thoughts are of “arrogance.” He does not respect anyone and this includes himself and so his actions PROVE his motives to steal from another and NO ONE likes a thief! It is then evidence, that this thief hates God…how sad for him, if he never knows Jesus Christ and is not forgiven of his sin.
At this point, we must understand that any thought outside of God’s holy Word, is sin! It is the “thought” that predates the action and to God…the “thought” is enough! It is the “intent of the heart” that comes between God and us, it is an active choice. This active choice is against God and it will keep us from heaven! We MUST ask the Lord for HIS forgiveness of our sin…this is the ONLY way!
Here is something that many, many people do not seem to understand. God is love! God is also just in righteousness and wisdom. As is stated in John 3:16:“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
It is also stated in John 3:18-21:
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
This last three verses show that God is also a…just God…and that HE will NOT tolerate anything short of HIS perfect will in us. This is to show, according to the Words God has stated, that anyone falling short of HIS perfect will…will NOT see heaven! God is talking about HIS forgiveness for my sin! It states we MUST be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary”!
If anyone is too “arrogant” to come to the cross of Jesus Christ with everything in his or her heart, and ask for HIS Forgiveness of their sin, they will indeed spend eternity in hell!
Here then is the “Dividing Line” of each and every one of us, the blood of Jesus Christ!! Considering that we will see the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ in our lives, the question is then, “Will YOU be in the Rapture…or will YOU be left behind?”