08-13-2025 PART 3: Life, Breath, and True Humility Before God

Section 1

Continuing the warning from 1 Timothy 4:1, any teaching that does not keep Jesus Christ at the center is to be treated with suspicion. True Christian living requires humility, a principle illustrated in James 4:13–17. This passage warns against arrogance in making plans without acknowledging God’s will. It reminds us that life is uncertain—we are like a mist that appears briefly and then vanishes. Planning is not wrong, but failing to submit those plans to God is. The arrogance of self-reliance traces back to the garden, where the temptation to “be like God” led to humanity’s fall. Without God’s approval, even well-intentioned endeavors are in vain, as Psalm 127:1 affirms.

Section 2

Acts 17:24–28 reinforces that God is the creator and sustainer of all life, giving breath and everything else to everyone. He determines times, places, and boundaries so that people might seek Him. No achievement or creation originates solely from human effort; all abilities and opportunities come from God. Every breath, sunrise, and sunset are His gifts. This reality strips away any entitlement or self-glory, aligning with 1 Corinthians 1:29, which declares that no one will boast in His presence. The right response is gratitude and acknowledgment that without God, nothing we accomplish has eternal value.

Section 3

Instead of boasting about what we do, believers are encouraged to identify first by whose we are: children of the Most High God. Recognizing God as our partner in all things fosters maturity and shifts the focus from self-promotion to glorifying Him. He loads us daily with benefits, remains patient despite our mistakes, and continues to love, keep, and encourage us. This perspective not only keeps pride in check but also strengthens our reliance on Him. Ultimately, a life centered on Christ, rooted in humility, and marked by gratitude is the life God honors and blesses.