12/18/10THE WAY DOWN IS THE WAY UP
If we will not humbly submit to God's transforming power, we will continue to squirm in the dust like worms, instead of rising on the wind like a butterfly. (passages in comment box).
THE WAY DOWN IS THE WAY UP...
Proverbs 29:23
(23) A MAN'S PRIDE SHALL BRING HIM LOW: BUT HONOR SHALL UPHOLD THE HUMBLE IN SPIRIT.
Matthew 23:12
(12) AND WHOSOEVER SHALL EXALT HIMSELF SHALL BE ABASED; AND HE THAT SHALL HUMBLE HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED.
Luke 18:9-14
(9) And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
(10) Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
(11) THE PHARISEE STOOD AND PRAYED THUS WITH HIMSELF, GOD, I THANK THEE, THAT I AM NOT AS OTHER MEN are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
(12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
(13) AND THE PUBLICAN, STANDING AFAR OFF, WOULD NOT LIFT UP SO MUCH AS HIS EYES UNTO HEAVEN, BUT SMOTE UPON HIS BREAST, SAYING, GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.
(14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: FOR EVERY ONE THAT EXALTS HIMSELF SHALL BE ABASED; AND HE THAT HUMBLES HIMSELF SHALL BE EXALTED.
HUMBLE SUBMISSION...
Matthew 18:4
(4) WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL HUMBLE HIMSELF as this little child, the same IS GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Romans 12:2
(2) AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD: BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD.
1 Peter 5:6
(6) HUMBLE YOURSELVES THEREFORE UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD, THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME:
James 4:6-10
(6) But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE.
(7) SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
(10) HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP.
ARROGANT RESISTANCE...
Luke 16:15
(15) And he said unto them, YE ARE THEY WHICH JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN; BUT GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS: FOR THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
Romans 10:3
(3) FOR THEY BEING IGNORANT OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, and going about to establish their own righteousness, HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THEMSELVES UNTO THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
