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The Greatness of Humility, December 13
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his
life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luke 9:24
.
Christ gave His disciples a most important lesson in regard to who should
be His disciples. “In the kingdom that I am about to set up,” He said, “strife
for the supremacy shall have no place. All ye are brethren. All My servants
there shall be equal. The only greatness recognized there will be the greatness
of humility and devotion to the service of others. He that humbleth himself
shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased. He who seeks
to serve others by self-denial and self-sacrifice will be given the attributes
of character that commend themselves to God, and develop wisdom, true
patience, forbearance, kindness, compassion. This gives him the chiefest
place in the kingdom of God.”
The Son of man humbled Himself to become the servant of God. He
submitted to abasement and self-sacrifice, even to death, to give freedom and
life, and a place in His kingdom to those who believe on Him. He gave His
life as a ransom for many. This should be enough to make those who are
continually seeking to be first and striving for the supremacy, ashamed of
their course.
“If any man will come after me,” Christ said, “let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow me” (
Luke 9:23
). This is the proof of
discipleship. If church members would be doers of the Word, as they solemnly
pledged themselves to be when they received baptism, they would love their
brethren, and would be constantly seeking for unity and harmony....
Those who believe in Christ and walk humbly with Him, ...who watch
to see what they can do to help and bless and strengthen the souls of others,
cooperate with the angels who minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation.
Jesus gives them grace, and wisdom, and righteousness, making them a
blessing to all with whom they are brought in contact. The more humble they
are in their own estimation, the more blessings they receive from God, because
receiving does not exalt them. They make a right use of their blessings, for
they receive to impart.
The ministering angels receive instruction from the throne of God to
cooperate with human instrumentalities. They receive the grace of Christ, to
give it to human beings.—
Manuscript 165, December 13, 1898
, “Unity a Test
of Discipleship.”
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