by Eric Holter on July 22, 2009
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
I am often guilty of the evil boasting of arrogance that presumptuously declares where I will go and what I will do as though such things were in my control. I’ve been trying to obey the instruction that James gives about not boasting, but instead saying “if the Lord wills” I will do such and such. But I noticed something in my most recent reading of this passage. James doesn’t just tell us to say “if the Lord wills we will do this or that,” he says “if the Lord wills we will live and do this or that.” [click to continue…]
by Eric Holter on July 5, 2006
“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself!”
2 Corinthians 12:7
The apostle Paul was blessed with a glimpse into the glories of heaven. He saw and heard things that cannot be uttered. I would think that such an unobscured view of the glory of God in heaven would have the most positive, sanctifying, God exalting, eternity desiring effects on Paul. Indeed, I’m sure it did. Yet, even so, Paul was also in grave danger as a direct result of these revelations. Embedded in his corrupt flesh was the prideful tendency toward self exaltation. In our perfected state – after death – the glories of heaven will only produce perfect God centered joy. But because of our current corruption these same glories carry with them the potential effects of prideful self exaltation. God knew that Paul’s revelations would inevitably lead him to boasting. So for this very reason God assigned him a messenger of Satan. Some form of constant pain, severe enough that Paul entreated God three times for its removal, was given to him. But it was not removed because God knew that should this man, having received such great heights of revelation, would surely fall into the snares of pride and end up boasting.
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by Eric Holter on May 5, 2006
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11
It will be much easier for me if I humble myself than if I must be humbled by external means. When pride rules in my heart I strive and strain, kicking against the restraint of rules, or responsibilities, or any of the circumstances God ordains to rein me in. But if I walk in humility, those implements which impose restraint will be worn comfortably.
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by Eric Holter on November 10, 2005
“And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.’ But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.
An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.”
Luke 9:43-46
It is an amazing testimony to the tenacity of indwelling sin, that not even a front row seat before the radiance of the glory of Christ can eradicate our pride and arrogance. We need to see the glory of Christ, but we need to see His glory in and through the cross in order to put sin to death.
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by Eric Holter on January 25, 2004
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride” Daniel 4:37
O Lord I thank you that you are able to humble those, like me, that walk in pride. Lord, I want to be humble because I want to draw near to you and have you draw near to me. I do not want to be proud because I want grace and not resistance from you. Thank you Jesus, that you are able to turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Soften my heart toward you of God. Make me walk your paths, kill the pride of my heart and cause me to be contrite and lowly of spirit that you might dwell with me. Cause me to praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven and delight in all your works and ways. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Who do I have in heaven but you, and having you I desire nothing on earth. Grant to me, O Lord, a heart that is captivated by your beauty and enthralled with your excellence. Humble me, and let me glimpse your glory in the face of Christ. Increase my capacity, and enlarge my heart, let me see more of you and be satisfied in you. Weaken all competing desires and strengthen my desire for, and appetite for you O Lord. Let me drink deeply of the water of life and delight myself in abundance at your table. This is what I ask, this is what I want. Thank you for giving me “the want.” O Lord, please satisfy my desire for you, and keep me wanting you more. I need you all Lord my God. Thank you that all is from your hand, I trust in you. In Jesus’ name I ask these things. Amen.
by Eric Holter on December 20, 2003
“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
Of all of Daniel’s great character traits described in this chapter, it is his humility that stands out so beautifully. It is said that Daniel was a handsome, brilliant, wise, and spiritual young man. He was selected from the best Israel had and he stood out high above his peers. He was chosen to serve the king. Now perhaps this honor escaped him, in as much as he was taken forcibly into this service. Daniel accepted his lot and began to study according to the will and direction of the king. But then a contention arose regarding the food and wine being served. It says that Daniel “made up his mind.” He was determined not to eat this food or drink this wine. He was prepared to stand his ground on this issue, and he stood on firm ground since he acted in order not to break the Lord’s dietary laws. God Himself was on Daniel’s side in this matter.
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