Saturday, 12 October 2024

Hubris and Humility

As I did my weekend’s meditation, I pondered upon how Jesus said to Peter, “you will all fall away because of me this night....’ Peter answered, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same (MATTHEW 26:31-35, NIV), I see how Jesus warned the disciples that this very night they will all stumble and scatter from him like startled sheep. They all deny it. And, Peter normally speaks for the Twelve and now he speaks for himself. By this, he rates himself above his fellow disciples and trusts in his own ability to endure suffering and death for Christ, yet he does not yet know himself. Nor the prowess of Satan, the roaring lion (1 PETER 5:8, NIV) nor the saving work of Christ, the Lion of Judah.

Truly, there’re times when we think we are God’s special gift to humanity. We become addicted to words of approval and affirmation. The Bible exhorts us to think soberly of ourselves (ROMANS 12:3, NIV). As the apostle Paul said, “I do not even judge myself… It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 CORINTHIANS 4:3-5, NIV), this encourages me to submit myself to Christ’s judgment. And, I confess, if my flesh had its way, for I would be worse than Peter, just as the two apostles said, “The flesh is worthless” (JOHN 6:63, NIV) and “you oppose the proud. You favour the humble” (JAMES 4:6, NIV), at the same time, I give thanks to God if I’ve grown and flourished in any way at all, it is because of His grace.

Indeed, take all my will, my passion, self and pride. I now surrender, Lord, in me abide (J. EDWIN ORR) and it was through pride that the devil became the devil (C.S. LEWIS) as they mentioned their points inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text. And, this encourages me to make my ignorance & mistakes accountable to God & find strength to share my struggles with the flesh with a trusted friend whom I can confide in, whenever I identify and need to confront ‘devil’ within me today.

As the writer said, to help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to condemn, to encourage rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy. And, to think of people at their best rather than at their worst; his, we ask for thy name’s sake (WILLIAM BARCLAY) as he mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Are you a slow listener and a fast talker today?

Truly, Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (MATTHEW 12:36-37, NIV). And, the Psalmist said, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (PSALM 141:3, NIV). Again, the Psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight” (PSALM 19:14, NIV).

Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987–1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022) | Former Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant |A Connecter in ServeHope Pte Ltd & GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd | A KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) | an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); A Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) |A PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, give us the humility to help us realizes our ignorance, admitting our mistakes, recognizes our need, welcoming advice, and accepting rebuke today. 
 
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 20th July 2019)

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