With The Humility Of A Child

Read: Luke 10:1-24

[Jesus said,] “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Luke 10:21, NIV

IN WORD

Granted the authority of the Kingdom and being placed at top levels of the spiritual pecking order of the universe, we could develop a superiority complex. And we would, except for one thing: That isn’t the nature of the King. Wielding all authority, Jesus came to serve. In spite of all His accomplishments and glory, He’s humble. He’s worthy of everything, but He doesn’t demand our hearts. He invites us into His blessings. We share in His authority because He generously allows us to do so.

Not only is humility the nature of the King, it’s also the appropriate attitude for beings with our background. We remember where we came from. We know we didn’t earn this. We were worthy of a far worse fate, but the mercy of the King rescued us from it. We became the ultimate rags-to-riches story.

So our response to the authority of the Kingdom is never pride; it’s gratitude. We don’t exercise that authority for self-promotion but for love of God and others. We overcome evil by liberating others from its destruction. That’s why we have been given the keys of the Kingdom. It isn’t a power trip. It’s a confrontation against everything that contradicts the truth, beauty, and love of the Kingdom.

IN DEED

Make that your mission in life—to stand for God’s Kingdom by claiming spiritual authority over all that opposes it. With the humility of a child, learn how to exercise that authority wisely. Don’t use it in arguments or selfish agendas. Don’t put it on business cards or T-shirts as though it’s a credential to boast about. Use it in faith. It’s your spiritual trump card against all the enemy’s purposes, your veto of his agenda. You don’t have it by being wise and learned. You have it because the King revealed it to you as His child. Learn to wield it exactly as Jesus showed you.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 16:19

It is a contradiction to be a true Christian and not to be humble.

RICHARD BAXTER