It was rather bold, I suppose, to say yesterday that I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s one word I hope the members of Corinth will remember from my ministry of preaching.  Maybe I’ll change my mind – I don’t know. 

What word would you choose?  Grace would be a superb choice.  Or faith.  Or love. 

My choice was inspired by John Calvin.  According to biographer Herman Selderhuis, Calvin said the most fundamental sin is arrogance (superbia) which causes us to offend God, neighbor, and creation.

So the word I choose as the most significant theme of my preaching is humility.  Calvin talked a lot about humility, though there are certainly examples where he and his followers did not live it.

By choosing this word, I am not suggesting I am humble.  What I’m saying is that humility is the root virtue which allows us to accept and live out the message of Jesus Christ.  And I hope that people who hear my preaching will remember that I consistently called for Christians to walk humbly with God.

Humility gives me awareness of God.

Humility turns the gift of life and of God’s world into a reason to glorify God and seek him.

Humility drops my self-defensiveness and causes me to agree with God’s verdict that I deserve judgment for my arrogant sinfulness.

Humility allows me to accept what Christ did to rescue me through his life, death, and resurrection.

Humility reminds me that I could not have sought God, chosen God, or loved God without his first choosing me.

Humility lets me know I have so much to learn about God and others.

Humility causes me to give others the benefit of the doubt, to listen to them, to grow by starting with the assumption God has placed them in my life to help me.

Humility teaches me it’s not about me – it’s about loving others in word and deed.

Maybe there are better words to summarize what I’m trying to say week by week – but (for today, anyway!) I choose humility.