The honor of humility

 TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

Humility honors God, and God honors humility. 

Humility is often times seen in our society as a good virtue that everyone should attempt to possess as part of their character.  Truly, it is a good characteristic, but the Bible goes further than just portraying it as a moral virtue.  The Lord Jesus Christ not only taught His disciples about humility, He actually exemplified it in His own earthly life. 

Born in a lowly manger, because there was no room in the inn, instead of a palace.  His birth was announced to lowly shepherds abiding at night instead of heralded to kings and queens and other important dignitaries.  The Lord Jesus Christ’s life here on earth began in the character of humility. 

When He began His ministry, Jesus served others.  As He taught, healed the sick and needy, fed the poor and hungry; He did it all in humility.  Notice what the Apostle Paul says about Jesus:

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"  (Philippians 2:7)

The word servant is a Greek word that translates as “a slave or a bond servant.”  It is the lowest type of servanthood, and yet the Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be this type of a servant.  The verse preceding this says, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” 

This basically means that though Jesus is the Eternal Son of God who is coexistent and coequal with God the Father, He still took the lowly and humble position of a servant.  The greatest act of God displayed to mankind was driven by humility.  In the same passage, in verse 8, the Bible says, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  I am glad that Jesus lived a life of humility.  It is His humility that paid for my sin debt.  His death, burial, and resurrection guaranteed my eternal destiny in Heaven. 

In a world filled with pursuing personal agendas, promoting self, and focusing on positions and titles, God beckons us to live quite an opposite life characterized by humility.  There is no room for pride in the service of God.  God puts a premium on humility. 

This is because lowliness and humility exalt God.  Everything that God commands us to do requires humility.  Whether in worship or in service for God, it must be done with humility.  Notice the following verse:

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"  (Micah 6:8)

Possessing humility displays several important things in our lives.  First, humility in our lives showcases that without God, “we can do nothing” (John 15:5).  If we are to accomplish anything of eternal value, we are to do it with God’s help. 

This requires humbly acknowledging our own inabilities and weaknesses.  The most intricately detailed plan about and devoted investment of time in training and instruction to better ourselves in hopes of success are all in vain without God.

Secondly, Humility acknowledges God’s power and sovereignty in our lives.  Jesus, at the very hour that He would be betrayed and arrested prayed the following:

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. "  (Luke 22:42)

Jesus was completely surrendered to the plan that His Father had for Him.  Humility shows surrender to the will of God in our lives.  It acknowledges that God is in control of everything.  Surrendering to the will God is not being irresponsible by not doing our part.  It is simply surrendering our will to God’s will.  Humility hangs onto the promise that, “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"  (Romans 8:28).  

Thirdly, humility shows our trust in God.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6 which says:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When we trust God, we are willing to give up our own plans and ambitions.  When we trust God, we are acknowledging that even though we may not fully understand our entire situation, we are still placing our future in the hand of God.  The word lean in this verse means “to support oneself” or “to rely on self.”  The verse commands us not to rely on our understanding.  Trust is difficult, but God wants us to rely on Him and this takes humility.  It forces us to put aside our own ideas and agendas and just allow God to work.

Fourthly, when we are being humble we become more like Christ.  It is perfectly natural for us when we are treated unfairly to respond by demanding our rights.  We want to get even.  We want to render evil for evil.  We feel that our reaction, no matter what it may be, is justified because of others’ maltreatment.  But notice how the Lord reacted to those that treated Him unfairly:

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."  (Isaiah 53:7)

To respond in such a way requires humility.  Ultimately, humility brings glory and honor to God. And God promises to honor the humble.  Notice the following verses:

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."  (Proverbs 29:23)

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"  (1 Peter 5:6)

Lastly, humility shows our understanding of God’s way to greatness.  Our society’s way to greatness is centered on being first and best ahead of everyone else. In God’s economy, the way to greatness is lowliness.  It is about serving others with an attitude of humility.  The Lord made it plain when He stated the following verses:

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. "  (Matthew 23:11)

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."  (Luke 14:11)

All that has been discussed thus far is humility concerning our relationship with God.  Humility plays an important role with our relationship with people as well. 

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"  (Romans 12:10)

To prefer one another means to put aside ourselves (our ideas, feelings, plans, etc.) for others.  It is about putting others ahead of us so that someone else receives the recognition.  It is about understanding that people can make mistakes by saying hurtful things to us without meaning to do so.  It is about admitting our mistakes when we do wrong.  It is about seeing the importance of reconciliation with my brothers and sisters in Christ even if it means putting aside my hurt feelings. 

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"  (Ephesians 4:2)

In closing, God’s general plan for all those that believe in Him is to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.  We can never achieve this without understanding humility because Jesus’ earthly life was all about putting Himself aside for the needs of others.  He exemplified humility, and He wants us to do the same.  Jesus washed His disciple’s feet.  The act of foot washing was a lowly responsibility usually given to the lowest of servants, and yet, Jesus washed each of the disciples’ feet to teach them about humility.

"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. " (John 13:14-16)