It is through humility and self-giving that we are truly satisfied. It is when we pour ourselves out that we in turn are filled to overflowing. Filled with grace upon grace.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

This is what I call upside down thinking or Kingdom thinking. Jesus was speaking the heart of the Father and it would be to our advantage to understand this. In giving of ourselves in abandonment to the Father firstly and then secondly to one another an amazing thing happens. We are filled with a love so big that we would lay our lives down for the sake of our Savior and his kingdom. We are invited to share in this amazing kingdom experience, as we selflessly give the love we receive away. Destructive self-centered living results in you and I becoming very shallow and cold hearted. Kingdom living is all-inclusive. It is for everyone to accept and enjoy. The Spirit inside of us compels us to share this good news with everyone.


Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I have been thinking about “going low” - abasement, humility, bearing one another’s burdens. My goal is to listen to Holy Spirit’s leading, being obedient to what he says to do, and then being quiet. Love covers. Love bears all.

My question to the Holy Spirit this day is, “Why is this the right way?”

“Open my heart to this secret wisdom.”

As I began studying this truth out, I began to see a common theme throughout the old and new testaments. Humility is an attribute of my Father’s character and he mixes it with mercy, mercy, and more mercy!

Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

THE LORD IS A JUST GOD.

The LORD is fair in his dealings with people. I think one of the best ways to understand the word justice is to take a look at its opposite, injustice. Injustice simply means to be unfair or wrong in your judgment of something or someone. I can tell you from experience injustice is a bitter pill to swallow. I probably hate injustice more than most bad deeds. It is so unfair. Typically you cannot fix the issue, because it is coming from a tainted character. So, when I see a God who’s actions are so just, so fair, so unbiased, it makes me smile. I love the character of our Father.

God also deals with us in a spirit of grace. He sees our past hurts and our present struggles. He is actively at work molding our future. This is who God is. He is a just God. He requires us to operate in the same spirit of grace.

Zephaniah 3:5
The LORD within her (Jerusalem) is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice and every new day he does not fail; yet the unrighteous know no shame.

Pride and arrogance are attitudes of a cold heart and the fruit of these are injustice. Our God is the opposite. As we walk clothed in the humility of Christ, we walk in love and dispense justice to our fellow man as it is due him.

Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

This is such a simple principle. He is not yearning for sacrificial giving. He wants you to do what is right and just. This is pleasing to the LORD.

THE LORD IS A GOD OF MERCY.

Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.

Every act of God is coming from a place of amazing love! This is his character. He is justice expressing itself through love. He is righteousness being given to a people who are really undeserving. He is forgiveness being poured out to sinners. He is extraordinary compassion shed abroad in our hearts.

Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

God is not after sacrifice, but a heart that is contrite. He is not looking for an outward demonstration of circumcision, but one of the heart. Humble yourself before him and he will run to you. He is full of grace and love. He is fair in his judgments.

THE LORD IS FULL OF HUMILITY.

I Peter 5:5
Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Another way of saying, “clothe yourselves” is cover yourselves. Put on grace as you would a dress or shirt. I think we can do this simply by declaring it. “I put on humility today. I choose to walk with a humble heart, filled with mercy and justice.” In doing this, God responds with more grace. Grace is a supernatural, tangible source of power from the Holy Spirit. I do not want to oppose or to be opposed by my Father. Let’s commit to pleasing the Father in our actions.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you, and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I continue to enjoy reading Hannah Hurnard’s book Hines Feet on High Places. It seems to be a book I go back to for that secret wisdom from the Spirit. I would like to share two excerpts from this beloved book.

For it is only up on the High Places of Love that anyone can receive power to pour themselves down in utter abandonment of self-giving.

This is the law by which we live, it so sweet to give and give.