AUG. 10: HUMILITY

Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-11 

Humility is one of those characteristics that you are not supposed to know you have, but everyone else should know you have it. If you know you have it, you don’t. Yet, few people consider the nature and scope of humility. Just what is this necessary but elusive characteristic of the mature Christian?

It may be best to begin by defining humility by what it is NOT. Humility is not:

(1) Weakness. We are reminded repeatedly in Scripture to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Joshua 1).

(2) Passiveness. Humility does not refer to an attitude that is backwards, showing any lack of initiative.

(3) Timid fear. Timidity is often mistaken for humility. Yet we were warned that God did not give us this kind of spirit (II Timothy 1:7). 

Humility is best defined as the recognition of one’s own frailties and fears combined with a healthy and robust confidence in the power of God working through us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Humility is a faithful confidence in God and not self to carry out all that God calls us to do. 

Humility is meek, but fearless; dependent, but confident; lacking self-assurance, yet able to step out by faith in God. Humility empties me of myself so that I can be filled with the power of God. Humility is joyful, at peace with God, resting in God’s power and not self-assurance. It is best seen in what many consider to be an early Christian hymn the Spirit of God inspired Paul to include in God’s Word (Philippians 2:1-11) and is best modeled in the person of Jesus Christ.

Humility in the context of the Church (2:1-2). Our humility is to be demonstrated within the body of Christ. Encouraging others, loving our brothers and sisters in Christ while proving our love for them with affection and sympathy. We are not in competition with our fellow believers but in partnership with them in the gospel enterprise. Arrogance and pride are divisive while humility bonds people together in their dependence on God. This is what builds oneness of mind and purpose in the Church.

Humility in action (2:3-4). If humility occurs within the context of the body of Christ, what does it look like in action?

• Humility does not work out of selfish ambition or conceit.

• Humility counts others more significant than self.

• Humility not only takes care of one’s own priorities but that of others also.

Humility modeled and mimicked in Jesus Christ (2:5-11). We are to love God with our minds (Matthew 22:37) and we are to have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16). What kind of mind did Jesus have?

• Though He was God He did not need to grasp or cling to what He already had.

• By coming into the world Jesus emptied Himself not of His ‘goddess’ but of His right to put on full display His divine prerogatives so that He might become one of us. 

• He became a man and died on a cross.

• Because of His humble obedience God raised and exalted Him and gave Him the title of Lord. 

• The one who humbled himself was not self-exalted but was exalted by His Father. We, too, are to humble ourselves and leave the exaltation to God (I Peter 5:6).

• In the end, the One who humbled Himself even unto death ends up as the exalted as Lord. B&R