In a world filled with braggadocio, bravado, and bluster, where swagger is praised and self-promoting celebrities and sports’ stars are glorified, humility seems to be an antiquated notion, an endangered concept. However, I contend it shouldn’t be.
When the omnipotent God of the universe – Creator of all that is – came to earth in the simple form of a man, He came not in pride, power, vanity, or self-love. Instead, He came as a humble servant walking on the crimson road of crucifixion because of His tender love for us.
Philippians 2:8 gives testament of this truth. “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.”
His death was a humble and gracious act on your behalf. As it says in John 3:16-17, “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Jesus’ humble act of submission to the cross gives you access to eternity through the forgiveness found in His sacrificial death. While Christ exhibited humility in death, He also lived as a simple servant.
On His last night on earth as a man, Jesus Christ prepared to eat a last supper with His closest earthly companions. With His disciples too proud to do the lowly duty, the most worthy among them instead donned the cloth of a servant and washed the feet of His disciples. The teacher taught His students by a simple, unpretentious act of gentle affection and did for others what their pride prevented them from carrying out.
Proverbs 29:23 states, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” Matthew 23:12 says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Christ’s whole earthly life is evidence of this truth. The only worthy man who ever lived chose to humble himself in both life and death. Now he sits exalted at the right hand of God asking us to follow in His footsteps and interceding on our behalf.
While the haughty and self-aggrandizing who strut this earth may get attention now, their days are numbered, but the humble shall be glorified. Listen to these words found in James 4:10. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Proverbs 16:18-20 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”
Galatians 5:13 puts it this way, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
That’s right – we live as free men, but that also means we can freely submit ourself to God and live a humble life worshipping His holy name while also serving our fellow man on His behalf. God is calling you to live a life of humble service, not prideful disregard.
I John 2:16-17 states, “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Humility is not a dirty word – it’s one that allows us to endure forever with the Creator of the universe, of all that is. He set the example. Now it’s time for us to live up to it.
Who can you humbly serve today on His behalf?
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