Faith and Humility

Ryan Ward

In our Overcomers series we have been challenged to memorize Revelation 12:11: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” I have been specifically meditating on the part of this verse that states their lives were the evidence of Christ’s redemptive work in them. When I personalize this to my life, I am blown away that I am able to also bear testimony of God’s goodness to me. There is absolutely nothing I do to deserve this. 

In our series, we have learned that God has given us everything we need to overcome; that we can find joy in our trials; to move toward God when tempted; to listen, follow, and grow in Him; and to love people. As I consider these things, I wonder if humility is the thread we use to weave a tapestry of faith. What if our faith increases proportionate to our increase in humility?  

Humility is difficult, especially when pride appears to be baked into our DNA. Throughout history we have examples without end of how prideful we can be. We even make up characters with pride… Kool-Aid man destroys homes just so he can tell us “Oh Yeah!" - who does he think he is? I want to pursue humility not only for the reason to not be like Mr. Kool-Aid, but also because it is my sacrifice to God (Psalm 51:17). Humility leads me to the cross of Christ every time because there is nothing I did to deserve His grace and mercy (Romans 5:8-10). Thus, the circle is complete - humility leads me to the cross, the cross builds my faith in Him, and my faith in Him leads me to humility, and so on.

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. In his book Humility, author Andrew Murray encourages that “where God is all, self is nothing.” I do not think Murray meant that we are to hate ourselves, rather we are reminded to be like our Savior who poured Himself out and humbled Himself by being obedient even to death (Phil 2:7-8). May our humility weave a beautiful tapestry of faith that overcomes the world.