“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17)

All of us love being in the limelight, on center stage, being the lead, or the main character in the play. Or we want to be the boss at work. Or we want to be in “Moses’ seat” as the Pharisees, a strict religious sect in the days of Jesus, loved the chief seats in the synagogues.

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,” (Matthew 23:5)

“And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,” (Matthew 23:6)

“And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Matthew 23:7)

Many religious, so-called “strict” Christians are no different than the Pharisees. They love a “works” salvation by man. They feel safe and secure in their religious pride.

But Jesus said,

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

Christ called the Pharisees hypocrites:

“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:28)

This ultra-ego disguised by religious garb must be dealt with. The flesh is strong, even within the believer (Romans 7:15-24). It is a deceiver, a liar, and lustful (Ephesians 4:22).

The “old man” must be crucified by a Sovereign Work of the Spirit of God in Regeneration. His rulership is given the death blow by the Spirit’s Work of Grace in the sinner. (See Romans 8:2; 6:4-22.)

When this happens in a sinner; he is humbled in the sight of God; in the view of God’s Holiness and his unrighteousness because of sin. Then he sees his only Hope is Christ and His Righteousness, which was manifested for the sinner on the Cross (Romans 3:24-25). He is drawn by God and taught by God (John 6:44-45). And he is brought to confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10). Now the quickened, converted sinner is ruled by his “new man.”

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

He now knows and understands that Christ (The Faith) lives and abides in him. Therefore, he desires to keep the Commandments of Christ, even the Commandment of Love (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35). (See also John 14:15; 1 John 2:4-6; 3:11-24; 4:7-21; 2 John 5-6; etc.) For Love Himself now abides in him.

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The result of this is the fruit of the Spirit being borne by the believer (Galatians 5:22-23). The believer now is gentle, kind, longsuffering, and even meek. He is a humble man, not taking the glory, but making sure God gets the glory.

In these devotions, you will see that pride being replaced with humility is a Sovereign Work of the Spirit of God in the believer. Self is replaced with the Savior. Self is no longer preeminent; but now Christ is preeminent. This work is necessary to please Christ; as you surrender to God, submit to Christ, obey His Word, and endure in your calling (1 Corinthians 7:20-22).

One of the greatest lessons you learn as a Child of God is:

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

And then you can say with the Apostle Paul:

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:12)