THE DEPTHS OF HUMILITY

Philippians 2:(5-11), "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".

With the above scripture being a platform and foundation, I trust that the following words will encourage and challenge all of us to embrace the meaning and necessity of true humility.

The modern American church in many ways has embraced an ideology that is counterproductive to her purpose and identity on the earth. The truth is that in much of our so-called advancement and desire to become "relevant" to pop (modern) culture, we in turn have embraced a self-sufficient, self-reliant mindset and model that is based more on human logic and soulish manipulation, than it is on the power of the gospel and horror of the Cross of Calvary. The fact is that with all of our progression, advancements, technology, media outlets, giftings, abilities, political persuasions, trendy religous expressions, etc., isn't it ironic that the more we acquire and do as the church in the natural, in essence the weaker and less effective we become with regard to reaching a darkening, sin laden world around us, (that in many ways we now reflect and project as the church).

Our only viable hope is to "SEE JESUS AS HE IN FACT IS" in the midst of His church. The church that He died to purchase with the shedding of His own blood. The church that is betrothed to Him by an eternal covenant. Sadly, many only want a fraction of this Jesus of scripture, while in turn rejecting His glory, His holiness, His cross, His blood, His call to discipleship, His consuming nature, His refining fire, His call to intimacy, His hatred of sin, His encompassing love, etc. In light of this, there has been a trivializing of the Lord and sacred things that has invaded the church in recent years. The result has been the promotion of spiritual sideshows that have a sprinkling of Jesus in them so that we can still classify what we do as "ministry". However, much of what takes place is void of God's presence, His awesomeness, His holy fire, etc. The peril is that in the bastian of our audacious religous zeal (void of humility), we have become like Laodicea! Revelation 3:17 says, Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked." In light of this condition and our spiritual dullness, we as the American church must turn our eyes towards JESUS once again!

When we behold Him as others have in past generations, who have experienced His divine assistance and visitation, then and only then will we embrace "true humility", which is foundational to our existence and expression. The divine illumination of Jesus in our midst will polarize the irony of the Kingdom of God. The irony that says, the deeper we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, the more we see ourselves as less. Instead of us being more exalted by the increase of our understanding of God, we in fact realize how frail and weak we are compared to His glory and power. Matthew 5:3 which states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God", becomes the air that we breathe as we are shattered into unconcious humility. A humility that seeks no trophies, no recognition of man or approval from the fraternal systems of man-centered religion. This humility is based on a deep resevoir of intimacy with Jesus, which demands contrition and brokeness. However it also releases the heart of worship and freedom from self is experienced, which alone qualifies us to do the "works of Jesus" in our generation.

May the eternal purposes of the Lord consume the American church in this hour, however it has to happen!!!

All For Jesus,

Keith Collins
Generation Impact Ministries