PRÉCIS ON THE GOD WHO LOVES HUMILITY BUT DETESTS PRIDE: IN TRIBUTE TO “LJL” (ONE OF OUR OWN)

SCRIPTURE. “For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.” – PHILIPPIANS 2:9, AMP

KEY TERM: “EXALTED.” ‘Huperupsoó’ [ὑπερυψόω]: “To elevate above others; raise to the highest position;  properly, elevate beyond; make exceedingly high, i.e. to a very high degree; greatly exalt, extol; exalt to the highest place (beyond measure); to elevate in power, wealth, rank or dignity; as, to exalt one to a throne, to the chief magistracy, to a bishopric; to elevate with joy or confidence; as, to be exalted with success or victory.”

QUOTATION. “Here is the path to the Higher Life: ‘Down, lower down!’ Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abased and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless.” ― ANDEW MURRAY,  Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness, 2001; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘He that humbleth himself shall be exalted,’ said Jesus. He is Himself the Great Example of that Law. The Apostle here goes on to complete his picture of the Lord Jesus as our Pattern. In previous verses we had the solemn steps of His ‘Descent,’ and the lifelong humility and obedience of the Incarnate Son, the Man, Christ Jesus. Here we have the wondrous ‘Ascent’ which reverses all the former process. Our text describes the reflex motion by which Jesus is borne back to the same level as that from which the descent began.” – ALEXANDER MACLAREN, Exposition of the Holy Scriptures, 1887; edited

DK. So here’s the thing, beloved: The Principles that govern the Kingdom of God are very nearly perfectly the opposite of those that govern the Kingdom of Darkness. Thus, for example, JESUS taught that “The first shall be last and the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). And here, he who lifts himself up shall be abased (by God!), yet he who humbles himself shall be lifted up far above the proud.

In fact, God so loves Humility and hates Arrogance that He literally makes war against the proud! Most especially if they are members of His own household. PAUL has said it plain: “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

In my view, the American Church is filled with Hubris and Mammon and Spiritual Adultery, that without sincere repentance, cannot escape the blistering Judgment about to descend upon his many compromised houses of worship. Houses that have become ‘Doctrinal Brothels’ rather than Sanctuaries of Truth.

Therefore, fellow disciples, bend down low and raise only ‘His Standard,’ and no other!