It is possible to attract the grace of God. We all would not object to more of God’s grace in our life. How then can this come to pass in our life?
In the book of Isaiah, we find the following words:
This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. (Isaiah 66:2).
When we look at the book of James, we find the following words:
God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James. 4:6).
The above passages give us a clear understanding of what propels God to bestow upon us his unmerited favor.
So how can we attract the grace of God?
By being humble.
But what is humility?
Perhaps the most succinct definition of humility was offered by C.S. Lewis. Here is what he had to say:
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”
In a slightly similar vein, here is what the noted theologian John Calvin had to say about humility:
“It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.”
Can I be honest with you? I struggle with humility. I bet you do to. For some reason, it does not come to me (us) naturally. I tend to not gravitate towards demonstrating humility with a deep and excited anticipation. I wish that practicing humility was as pleasant as getting a venti iced, hazelnutte latte from the place that demands for me to make it my daily ritual.
One of the reasons that it is not natural for us to hone our humility skills is because we have a very high view of ourselves and a very low view of others. Why?
Because it is much easier and more satisfying to be enamored with who we are instead of who others are.
Because we are full of ourselves.
This issue ultimately stems from us not emptying ourselves.
If we are not emptying ourselves consistently, we will be full of ourselves constantly.
Paul explains this process of emptying ourselves when he writes to the Philippians and points them to what Christ did on their (our) behalf (Php. 2:7).
We can pursue humility, by the grace of God, at the same time attracting the grace of God. We should seek to be humble not for the sole purpose of being exalted at a later time (even though Scripture promises this (1 Pet. 5:6) but for the sole purpose of being obedient to that which God would like to see in our life.
Here are ten observations of what God thinks of humility and those who are humble:
1. God loves the humble
2. God gives grace to the humble
3. God is attracted to humility
4. God is drawn to humility
5. God desires for us to be humble
6. God is delighted when we passionately want to pursue his commandments.
7. God is satisfied when we we possess a contrite heart.
8. God is pleased when we approach Him with reverent respect.
9. God is honored when we offer to him a contrite spirit.
10. God in no way despises a broken heart that beckons his grace.
In the next post, I want to explore how Christ demonstrates to us an ultimate form of humility.
Question: What about humility attracts the gaze and grace of God?
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