Category: Humility

I love the title of this short article. It is not mine. It came from a paragraph heading in my NKJ Bible. The one above Philippians 2:5-13. Jesus came to earth from heaven, living among us as a man, humbling Himself. This humility reached the point to where He died on the cross for our sins. “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (9-11).

What Jesus did, and the Father’s response serves as a wonderful example for us to emulate. It shows God’s aversion to selfish pride, and His embrace of selfless humility. As James wrote, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:  ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

Take the time to read the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14. The Pharisee exalted himself in prayer, and the Publican humbled himself before God.  Consider the conclusion as God accepted the tax collector, but not the Publican. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (14).

The key to esteeming each other is humility. If I am proud, my attention and interest is in myself. Pride associates with selfishness. However, If I am humble, my attention and interest typically will be in others. I see their value equal to, even exceeding my own. My humility makes me selfless.  At least, that is God’s intention.

We are not talking here about self-hatred or despair. It is the realization that the value of another equals my own, and therefore my duty is to positively impact their lives. If you consider it, such actions reciprocated benefit all. I look out for multiple others, and all of them (having the same values) look out for me!

Consider the example Paul gave, writing about the care shown by a husband to his wife. “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29). The husband’s love is to be selfless. He esteems and values his wife and makes her welfare and happiness his work.  This is an example of esteeming that should be common in the disciple’s life. Continue reading “(9 of 13) Esteeming Each Other” →

In Galatians 5 the apostle Paul describes the conflict between the lust of the flesh and the fruit that is developed in the child of God as we grow and mature, heeding the Spirit of God. Noting the works of the flesh first, (19-21), we will in this lesson describe and define the fruit of the Spirit, listed in verses (22-23). This is important, for in this context Paul assures us to, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (16).

Love

The Greek word agape  is the word that Paul uses here.  It is uniquely used in the New Testament to describe the highest expression of love for others. It is an unselfish love, motivated and informed as to what is best for others.  For example, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It is the type of love we should have for God (John 4:15); for our brethren (1 John 2); for our wives (Ephesians 5:25); and even for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). It is not surprising that this heads Paul’s list. A love for God and for man is the basis of God’s expectations for us as we serve Him (Matthew 22:36-40). Continue reading “The Fruit of the Spirit” →

The text calls for us to have the same mind (will) as Christ.  The decision He made: to leave heaven, come to earth as a man, and humble Himself to the point of death on the cross shows clearly our Lord’s mind regarding others. He was motivated by love and selflessness. Jesus once said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). We can’t do for Him what He did for us, so in His next breath he said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Unfortunately too many are too selfish or indifferent to do even this for their Lord.

God celebrated and rewarded the sacrifice of Jesus through His resurrection and exaltation. It is as a result of this exaltation that Jesus has become the appointed judge for all mankind. In the day of judgment, every knee will bow and confess Him as Lord.

So, yes, we need the same mind which was in Christ Jesus!

Who is it that our world celebrates most?  The entertainer, the athlete, the artist. The ones who make a name for themselves. The ones who blaze a path. The ones who standout or amaze. Sometimes these things can be for very scandalous reasons — they may be villainous, outlandish, immoral, seekers of attention, ready to do anything to be famous, to be a figure that the world simply can’t ignore. This indicates values that do not really accord with God and His will. For both the celebrated and those who adore them.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Continue reading “Aspire to Live a Quiet Life” →

Paul had a problem to solve when he wrote his personal appeal to Philemon. Philemon had a slave, the slave had become a Christian and was helpful to Paul, but Paul knew it would be wrong to impose his desire regarding the slave, Onesimus, without Philemon’s permission.

How was the problem solved? By all three men acting selflessly. Paul deferred to Philemon, Philemon deferred to Paul, Onesimus deferred to both men. All showed love, humility, selflessness, and the brotherhood that is seen in Christ. A circumstance that was fraught with potential tension and conflict was resolved because of the Christian attitudes that existed and were acted upon.

No doubt you, (as do I), have a problem with slavery. This article is not about that. It is noting this truth: You can make laws, compel or shame —  however, if one is not of a mind to treat others with love and selflessness, problems follow.

Instead, the way of the Lord is love, service and sacrifice. It is selflessness. If that is the way we all act, then God’s desires will be upheld and served.

This is the solution, though many refuse to follow it. This is the way of God, and should be our practice as well. Think about it.

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

Pride is the great blight upon the world in our time. It is the cause of sin. It is the cause for wars and fighting, as each person puts himself and his desires before others.

God desires out faithfulness and submission. He has given us a great promise if that is forthcoming. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

The key for us to spend an eternity in the presence of God is for us to transform from selfish ambition to a selfless love. Love for God and love for our fellow man.  This requires us to humble ourselves before Him, repenting of our prideful, willful lives, and determining to live for God and Him alone.

James has a the simple recipe. “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:9-10).

God calls us to holiness. This is a primary theme of 1 Peter. One primary way this holiness is shown is through humble submission in accord with God’s will.

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I just finished reading an article on my phone from USA TODAY titled, “Americans are become less religious. None more than this group.” The emphasis of the article was the departure of many from Christianity (especially younger people), and the fact that for the first time in American history, more women are leaving their faith than men.

Two statistics from the survey: Those who nominally identify as Christians in America  are 63%, down from 90% in the early 1990’s.  Second, “Among generation Z, however, the pattern has flipped (regarding men and women leaving their childhood faith): 54% of those who’d left the church are female. Meanwhile, nearly four in 10 Gen Z women identify as religious unaffiliated, compared to a third of Gen Z males. Continue reading “Women Leaving the Church” →

The calling in Christ is described by Paul here. In calling, we must determine how we are called. It is through the gospel of Christ. God is not capricious, giving his grace to some, but denying it to others. The reason why so many who are humanly wise, mighty and noble are not of the elect is they choose not to be!  They trust and depend upon themselves rather than upon God (cf. Proverbs 16:18).

God champions the humble.  What He considers to be valuable differs greatly from the world’s definition of value.  God chooses that which indicates man’s dependence upon Him, rather than things which promote selfishness and arrogance.  Why?  “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (29).

Accepting God’s wisdom, His righteousness (cf. Romans 10:3), and the blessings that accrue from our relationship to Him, this is what God desires for us. Don’t glory in yourself (pride); instead, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” (31).

Josh Cox discusses Matthew 5:3, where Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

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Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well. 

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5).  God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation” →

The prophet Samuel served as the last accepted judge of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel. In chapter 8 of the text we are told that when he became old he appointed his sons as judges, but their behavior was unacceptable to the people who asked for a king. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).

We find an interesting statement by the Lord in 1 Samuel 8:7, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” God had established the system of appointing judges, and by insisting for a king, the people basically had rejected God’s design. That in and of itself serves as an important lesson for us. Put simply the churches of today constitute changes to God’s design under the New Covenant. Denominationalism, the Social Gospel, instrumental music, women preachers, etc., all can be explained in this same way. “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Saul” →

Jacob prayed a prayer to God concerning meeting his brother Esau, from whom he had taken a birthright and blessing. Before the meeting, Jacob said, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children” (Genesis 32:10-11).

Of course, Esau’s own profane behavior was part of the reason why he was rejected, and Jacob was chosen (cf. Hebrews 12:16). But, it seem that here Jacob realized there was cause for Esau to be angry, and that he had mistreated his brother due to his deceit. I think that Jacob’s description of himself is one what we should all consider. “I am not worthy of these least of all the mercies and of all the truth which you [God] have shown your servant.” It is very similar to Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 15:9, calling himself unworthy because, “I persecuted the church of God.” And yet, God blessed both of them. Jacob was received kindly by Esau (cf. Genesis 32:4,9), and Paul was made an apostle to the Gentiles. Because of God’s mercy! (1 Corinthians 15;10).

God’s mercy comes to each of us as well. None of us can approach our Lord as “worthy.”  But, His love for mankind brings out His mercy and grace. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

The apostle Paul gives some very helpful instruction and insight on how Christians should get along with Christians in Philippians 2. It basically is a call for every child of God to be humble. Humility impacts our decisions and actions toward others. But, it should be true humility! Consider verses 3 and 4. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

The phrase, “let each esteem others better than himself” is an interesting one. First, the word esteem is used to indicate authority or control. One who is esteemed is a leader, one who is in control or important. In our context it is relative to how we view ourselves.  We do not consider ourselves as important as our brother in Christ.  He is more important than us.  So, our motivation is not self, but what is best for our brother.  If all Christians acted in this way, most of the issues that cause division would not exist.

This is seen in the phrase “better than self”, indicating that in our eyes, our brother is more important or superior.  And, in the verse to follow, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:4).