The Problem of Humility

Some people take pride in accomplishments and special abilities, and some in disability and absurd humility. It is clear to say that a man is arrogant when he claims that he is the smartest, the most beautiful or that he is god. But an extreme humility would also mean arrogance. But how could we label a person arrogant when he claims that he is unable to accomplish great things or that his talents do not surpass others' expectancy?

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:21-31 clearly states that God is our source of power and wisdom. No matter who we are, ministers or pastors, we preach to others in foolishness compared to His wisdom. However, despite our incompetence before    God, He is pleased that we, who believe, could be saved through the foolishness of what was preached. Even the most intelligent and wise man in existence is nothing compared to His wisdom. In the Ancient Greek Classification, power and wisdom are two separate ideas. But in gospel, power and wisdom are one.

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. 

Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD.” 

~1 Corinthians 1:21-31 (NIV)

THE SOURCE OF POWER & WISDOM

This is a reminder that in order to be humble, we ought to believe that God is the only source of power and wisdom, from whom our abilities and talents overflow from.
This is also a reminder to be humble—on the other extreme. To not undermine the grace and gifts that He has given to us.
When we claim that we are not eloquent enough to spread the gospel of God, to stand up for His name, or even to multiply the talents that He has given to us, we too are claiming that His gifts are vain. You are boasting about your life, because you keep on looking at your drawbacks and faults.

HOLY CONFIDENCE

When I first came to the United States, I immediately grasped this strong American notion of independence and confidence. But we must be cautious that our confidence must always be based on the fact that   God is leading the way. When Moses said, "who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?", God's answer to Him was, "I will be with you".

SELF-INDIFFERENCE

When the Bible talks about humility, it really is about being "indifferent" about yourself at all. Paul was weary when he arrived in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:3), but he zealously preached the gospel of God, because He knew who His sender was. He was aware of h  is limitations, but it was concealed by God's power. This is why becoming a Christian is like murdering a part of ourselves. CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity said that "[Repentance] means unlearning all the self-conceit and self -will that we have been training ourselves into [...] It means killing part of yourself, under-going a kind of death".

THE GOSPEL

When we deliver the gospel, the receiver of the gospel does not have to say yes and accept Jesus Christ as his LORD and Savior immediately. His acceptance of the gospel is not ours, it must be a yes for God's gospel, and not to us . If He rejects the gospel, the blame is not on us, because God will work on the person's heart through the gospel that we preached. Although we have to improve to become a better gospel deliverer still. The gospel itself is built upon humility and God uses the nobodies to fulfill His great works.

HIM AGAINST THE WORLD

Our arrogance does not hinder or limit God's works through us. He is a Sovereign and powerful God who has prepared everything according to His purpose.
Do not be the Samaritan woman by the well. She was focused on the greatness of Jacob, instead of the glory of God. Fake humility and courage are what the world wants, but God sees what's inside. 
Lastly, do not fail your doxology: I am nothing, I am a nobody, but God uses me to create this greatness.

"But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD." For it is not the one who commends Himself who is approved, but the one whom the LORD commends".

~2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Blessings,

Alice