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. HUMILITY. "Accordingly, as God's chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering." (Col 3:12). 'There is no true and constant gentleness without humility; while we are so fond of ourselves, we are easily offended with others. Let us be persuaded that nothing is due to us, and then nothing will disturb us. Let us often think of our own infirmities, and we shall become (forgiving) towards those of others.' (Fénelon).
"If then our common life in Christ yields
anything to stir the heart, any loving consolation, any sharing of the Spirit,
any warmth of affection or compassion, fill up my cup of happiness by thinking
and feeling alike, with the same love for one another, the same turn of mind,
and a common care for unity. There must be no room
for rivalry and personal vanity among you, but you must humbly reckon others
better than yourselves. Look to each other's interests and not
merely to your own. Let your bearing towards one another arise out of your life
in Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:1
"I entreat you, then "To sum up: be one in thought and feeling, all of you; be full of brotherly affection, kindly and humble-minded." (1 Peter 3:8 NEB). "…I shall remove from the midst of you your haughtily exultant ones; and you will never again be haughty in My holy mountain. And I shall certainly let remain in the midst of you a people humble and lowly, and they will actually take refuge in the Name of Jehovah." (From Zeph 3:11,12). "And with righteousness he (Christ) must judge the lowly ones, and with uprightness he must give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth." (From Isaiah 11:4). "How blest are those of a gentle spirit; they shall have the earth for their possession." (Matt 5:5 NEB). "But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." (Psalms 37:11). "Seek the Lord, all in the land who live humbly by his laws, seek righteousness, seek a humble heart; it may be that you will find shelter in the day of the Lord's anger." (Zeph 2:3 NEB). "For this is what the High and Lofty One, who is residing forever and whose Name is Holy, has said: "In the height and in the holy place is where I reside, also with the one crushed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly ones and to revive the heart of the ones being crushed."" (Isaiah 57:15). "Take my yoke upon you and become my disciples, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matt 11:29,30). "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?' He called a child, set him in front of them, and said, 'I tell you this: unless you turn round and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Let a man humble himself till he is like this child, and he will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matt 18:1-4 NEB). "The greatest among you must be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt 23:11,12 NEB). "…Indeed, all of you should wrap yourselves in the garment of humility towards each other, because God sets His face against the arrogant but favours the humble. Humble yourselves then under God's mighty hand, for He will lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on Him, for you are His charge." (From 1 Peter 5:5-7 NEB). "Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves; do not be minding lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become discreet in your own eyes." (Rom 12:16). "For the Lord, high as He is, cares for the lowly, and from afar He humbles the proud." (Psalms 138:6 NEB). "He that is showing favour to the lowly one is lending to Jehovah, and his treatment He will repay to him." (Prov 19:17).
"Better is it to be
lowly in spirit with the meek ones than to divide spoil with the
self
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