Another way to be great is found in Matthew chapter 18, where the bible says that we must be as humble as a little child. A little child has a tender heart and believes his father and trusts in his father for everything. A little child is not proud and boastful, but just sweet and innocent.
Matthew 18:1: At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2: And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4: Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Being converted is the same thing as getting saved. When a person is unsaved, they are not humble; they are proud and boastful about how good they are or how great they are. But when a person gets saved, he humbles himself and admits that he is a sinner and is undeserving of going to heaven and needs Jesus to save him. That is what it means to humble yourself as a little child.
Another lesson in being great is to be a servant. The world thinks being great is someone who is the boss over many people and rules others and is above others, but the way to be great in God's eyes is to be a servant to others. Even Jesus when he was here on earth served others.
Matthew 20:27: And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus is our example in serving others, as he served others also. John 13:3: Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4: He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5: After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
So, therefore, these bible passages clearly teach us that to be great is to be a servant, just like Jesus was a servant. Also, in Philippians chapter 2 is the clear teaching that Jesus was humble and obedient, even to his death on the cross, and we should be like him.
Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name;
Another thing to consider about being great, is to use our life here on earth to receive great rewards in heaven when our life here on earth is over. Instead of living for just the here and now, we should think about eternity as we go through life seeking to serve the Lord.
It is okay to want to do great things for the Lord because he has done great things for us, in how he saved us and gave his life for us. But he did it with a humble spirit and he was meek and lowly.
John 14:12: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Though Jesus was humble, he did great works for God because he healed people and saved people from going to hell. So if we are like Jesus, we will also want to serve others and especially want people to get saved, since that was his purpose in coming to earth. The most important thing a Christian can do and the greatest work is to tell someone how to get saved.
If you use your life to try to get people saved, the bible says that you will shine forever in heaven. Daniel 12:3: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. It makes you think, do you want to be a star now in this quick passing away world, or do you want to be a star shining in heaven forever and ever. A wise person lives for things that matter for eternity.
