FAITH MAIL: Fear God; be humble and operate the mind of Christ to live life for God.
Matthew 18:1-10
It is important to be mind-full of Jesus’ way of life to be living for God. Paul admonished in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” What is it about the mind of Christ?
The mind of Christ is a humble mind, a mind that is plain, simple and set before God.
At a point in time, the disciples wanted to know from Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. It is written, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1) Jesus’ response clearly described humility as the way out to become the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom.” (Matthew 18:3-4) What a wakeup-call for those with wrong assumptions of what it is to be ready to become the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Jesus said assuredly, meaning: without any other means; with all certainty heaven is distant until one is converted and become as little children. It is those who are converted (that is, accept Jesus as their Lord and savior) and those who become of the Lord by virtue of living the Word of God, are those ready for the great home coming. Confessing Christ and not living by the Word of God is same as claiming to have been converted and not become as little children.
Also, one’s title on earth is not an evidence of humility in one’s life. Unfortunately, title is not a ticket to becoming the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Many are full of themselves and not filled by Christ, as a result, humility is strange to them.
Little children whose mindset operates as of a little child are true example of carrier of humble spirit. Such children do not have pride, as a result any fruit of pride such as malice; deception and un-forgiveness are not part of little children’s makeup.
Jesus emphasized the importance of humility when His hour was near (John 13:1).
Having clearly showed and taught how to be humble, He waited until His final hour to give His disciples a lasting impression which revealed the importance of humility.
It is written, “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:3-5) There is no perfect way to show what it means to be humble than Jesus’s demonstration.
Prayer for today: Ask God to turn your mind to be Christ like.