A popular artist once found himself in the position to observe those in power who were patrons of his work. These men he watched day in and day out were wealthy merchants, Italian noblemen and French kings.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
The deacon Philip was what we might consider a very, very “good” Christian. He preached in Samaria, exorcised evil spirits, then evangelized to the Ethiopian eunuch and was teleported off by the Holy Spirit.
Pride is at the very top of the list of things God hates. “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
