RENEWAL

EXPERIENCING A NEW SEASON IN CHRIST
A 15 Minute Bible Study

 

Scenario: Cindy just received a promotion at work, with this promotion she also received a significant pay raise. However, the promotion came on the skills of those in her business unit. Cindy was excited about the promotion. She started socializing with people who were also promoted and neglected to even acknowledge those who worked with her to achieve her success. She even started to not include this group on her lunch break. Instead, she became obsessed with those who she believed could help her get to the next leadership role in her company. In about three months after her promotion, her company reported a significant financial loss, which meant a huge staff cut, was inevitable. Cindy decided that the best thing for her was to go to those she neglected after her promotion to ask them to speak highly of her. She’d forgotten how she treated them. 

Unfortunately her plea did not work, and she was laid-off with only two weeks of severance pay. 

The Apostle speaks of humility in 2 Corinthians 10:1. 

In life, humility is an important behavior to adhere to in serving God. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sign of humility. The Apostle Paul wrote on self-seeking and prideful behavior. 

In Romans 2:5, he said this “But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.” 

He also wrote in Romans 2:8:”…but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness. 

Key Word – Indignation: Anger or annoyance provoked by what is conceived by unfair treatment. 

Cindy’s co-workers did not get angry because of what some may view as betrayal. They continued to do their job and remained cordial to Cindy. Some even spoke highly of her when it appeared her job was indeed in jeopardy. However, Cindy’s self-seeking behavior unfortunately caught up to her. 

Our behavior toward others should always portray humility. Because we are all equal in God’s eyes.

Key Word- Truth: The body of real things, events or facts. 

Cindy’s co-workers remained true to themselves. In most cases. many were thankful to have a job. Some continued to meet for short Bible studies during the day to find peace in their everyday surroundings. The know Jesus as the only person who could set them free of any animosity some may secretly have against Cindy. They believe that Jesus is real, that He died on the cross to safe them from the wrath of sin, and that His life is factual. 

They also knew that He could help them to keep their jobs with prayers, repentance, and forgiveness. 

Our starting point toward humility is shown in the Bible. In this 15 minute study consider some of the ways you have not been humble. Examples are social media posts, speech and actions toward others, boasting, self-importance, selfishness, narcissism, laziness, pride, and distorted reality. If recent behavior(s) is aligned to any one of these, here are few Bible verses you may find extremely helpful:  

  • *Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
  • *Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). 
  • *But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows 
  •   favor to the humble.” (James 4:6).