The Paradox

We become great by becoming small

Matthew 18:4 (ESV) 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 23:11-12 (ESV) 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

How do we avoid the appearance of false humility? Look to the following for our example:

Philippians 2:8 (ESV) 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

We are not talking about a mere man here! We are talking about the GOD of all creation walking with His created ones!

Romans 12:3 (ESV) 3  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

We are called to be servants of the GOD most high! We “do” because it is our duty.

Some believe that what we have done will get them to heaven. They believe that if they are doers of the word, that activity will guarantee their passage through the “pearly gates”.

The more enlightened amongst us scoff and say “No, you can’t earn your way into heaven. This is the fruit in keeping with the gift of grace from our GOD.

But Jesus said,

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV) 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

It really isn’t about what we do or even how much we do. What matters is where our heart is in accordance with what GOD is doing through us.

Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-8, Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) 5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus was obedient even to death to GOD the Father. We are called to serve GOD by serving others. Not in subjugation to others, but in service to GOD by serving as He leads us. The heart, intellect, soul and our strength must be captivated by an attitude of submission to the will of GOD. Give to the Lord child=like obedience through child-like faith built on a foundation of child-like trust. Become great by becoming small.