The Gift of Humility founded upon Philippians

The main point of Philippians is: Glorifying God through unifying obedience to Him in Christ Jesus in all Circumstances with Joy.

Part of the subservient point of the main point is Humility.

Philippians 1:6 - "I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Philippians 3:3 - "For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh -"

Philippians 4:13 -"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

The point is that Humility is just as much as the gift of God as Faith is. I was reading something prior to this thought which caused me to write this. It said something about one of the founding fathers of America believing that humility is something man can achieve. According to Philippians the statement is far from the truth of God.

Do all things for the Glory of God

"Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must fall into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream." -A.W. Tozer

I like this quote from A.W. Tozer. This is really great, for it presents to Christian's that they should neither stay away from having good reputation or having a reputation is ends up being forgotten. Both can be something that people in either one of the camps may cling to. Tozer says No, for it is not about us but it is about Christ and him glorified. Whatever lot one may fall in be in it for the Glory of God and not for selfish reasons. This reminds me of what Paul says again in Philippians 4 - that he can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me.



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This quote by Tozer is really not good. Tozer was an Arminian who believed that man had free will and that Christ died for the sins of every single human being universally.

On Students, Pride, and Learning

Dear Blog,

I do not know how to write what I am seeing. The Dorms here at school are surrounded by ignorant prideful young children, who just got out of high school, who are learning how to think and reason on their own. I am not sure how to react about this. Let me just say I am at times am not the best person to communicate with. At times I fail trying to present my case or my thought. With them trying be rational all the time, they become irrational at times. I have gone through the same study and problem as they have gone through. I long for them to read Theilicke who talks about such things and practice and tells us to not become prideful in our study of them. I am not against the Theological Hall or the study of Philosophical Science I am more concerned about their gentleness and love and humility. I pray that this may not be just another means by which men are cast down into hell.

The freedom of the Will and Its bondage

"In all ages, however, there have been those who contended for the abslute freedom or sovereignty of the human will. Men will argue that the will possesses a self-determining power. For example, they say, I can turn my eyes up or down; the mind is quite indifferent which I do; the will must decide. But this is a contradiction in terms. This case supposes that I choose one thing in preference to another, while I am in a state of complete indifference. Manifestly, both cannot be true. But it may be replied that the mind was quite indi...fferent until it came to have a preference. Exactly; and at that time the will was quiescent, too! But the moment indifference vanished, choice was made, and the fact that indifference gave place to preference, overthrows the argument that the will is capable of choosing between two equal things. Ass we have said, choice implies the acceptance of one alternative and the rejection of the other or others.

That which determines the will is that which causes it to choose. If the will is determined, then there must be a determiner. What is it that determines the will? We reply, the strongest motive power which is brought to bear upon it."