Humility, By Sarah P.

Humility

By Sarah P.

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith." -Romans 12:3 NKJV

As the creation of God, it is really surprising that any of us should struggle with pride. All who have been saved have realized just how big their sin is-and how hopeless they are without Jesus. Why, then, do we elevate ourselves above others? None of us as sinners are more righteous than each other. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 NKJV) We are all willing enough to accept that others sin, but sometimes it can be hard to accept as Christians that we are no more worthy of salvation than the lost. Nothing we can do on our own can get us to heaven. Jesus came to die so that we could have a chance to accept His free gift of eternal life.

Only because of Jesus are we made pure. Once we are saved, shouldn't the knowledge of this free, wonderful gift lead us to compassion for others that don't have it? Shouldn't we reach out to others all the more because we are reminded that once we were just like them? Jesus' salvation is free-completely free-so why do we become like the prideful Pharisees and turn our backs on the lost that seem so unworthy? How will the lost think of us when they see only prideful, arrogant people that scorn them and claim themselves righteous? We are God's servants, so let us all be humble and caring for others.

Let's all reach out to those around us that are suffering, and tell everybody of the amazing gift of eternal life that is free. Share the love of Christ with others-and don't let your pride hold you back!

Social Ladder, By Leah F.

Social Ladder

By Leah F.

I just came into middle school, and I have to admit it was a bit overwhelming. There were all these different social groups, and I didn't know where to start. There were the popular people, the middle people, and the people that the guys on the top don't seem to know that they exist. Then, during the year, people try to make it to the top of the "social ladder." People almost faint when a popular person even acknowledges them, but, God does not like these things. He created us equal.

Genesis 1:27 tells us that God made us in his own image. It does not say "But God made some men better than others, and they were greatly blessed." No. We are all created the same.

Mark 10:32 says that the first will be last, and the last first. So, in a way, you are on top of God's "social ladder." While the popular kids lift themselves up, if you humble yourself, then God will lift you up. Proverbs 18:12 also says that humility comes before honor. This means that before you can be lifted up by God, you have to repent and humble yourself. James 4:10 also says that if you humble yourself, God will lift you up. So, looking at all these verses, God will greatly bless you if you humble yourself.

What does humbling yourself mean? To humble yourself is to put others first, and have yourself be last. That might be talking a smaller scoop of ice-cream, or letting the little kid in front of you. Anything that puts other "ahead" is a way of humbling. In small terms, be the opposite of those you give themselves the best.

A lot of verses talk about about a haughty heart, but Psalm 101:5 specifically says that someone who is haughty and arrogant, God will not tolerate. So instead of trying to get to the top, I recommend staying at the bottom. But in order to have the best favor in God's eyes, you need to humble yourself, and repent for your sin. When you repent, you have to ask God for forgiveness for what you have done. After you repent, God will always forgive you, and will in a way "wipe your slate clean."