Transforming Culture Through Love and Humility

God’s kingdom is a backwards one according to the system of this world. The world says the way to get more is to take, but God tells us the way to increase is by giving. The world tells us that we must protect our own interests in order to get ahead. However, God says that promotion comes from Him and that the humble will be exalted.

This world has told us that we must fight and push to protect our rights so no one takes advantage of us. According to the world, the only way to gain any ground is by beating those who oppose us. On the other hand, Jesus showed us how to take over the world- and it is the opposite of man’s flawed mindset. To take over, we must give up. First, we must give up our own control over our lives and give it to God. When we allow Him to direct our steps and don’t try to make our own way, that is when we make progress.

Second, we must give up certain “rights” that we have always thought we were supposed to have. We must give up the right to always be right, the right to express our opinion, the right to condemn. Instead, we must learn that the only real right that believers have is the right to choose to follow Jesus. And, that means instead of needing to be right all the time, we choose to walk in humility. Rather than expressing our opinion, we say what the Word of God says. And instead of condeming people, we remember where we came from and choose to love them instead.

Please do not misunderstand me, the church is definitely supposed to fight for righteousness and oppose evil. For too long, the church did nothing while evil people took over. However, our strategy needs to be love. We will accomplish nothing if we fight for righteousness using the same methods that the wicked use to fight for evil. When we humble ourselves and give up our own “rights,“ then God’s justice prevails. When we walk in love, we can transform the culture through changing people’s lives. National reformation is accomplished one life at a time, and we can only affect people’s lives when we walk in love and humility.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) emphasis mine

Our personal rights are not as important as God’s will being done on earth and in our nation. Humility is the key to making it happen. Humility is not weakness, but control under pressure. When we walk in love when the pressure is on, people take notice. Yes, there are times when we need to confront someone about sin, but it must be done humbly and in love, not in condemnation.

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also[simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]…. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor(fellow man) and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:39, 43-44 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

It contradicts logic, but truly, the righteous can take over by giving up.