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Before Honor Is Humility |
Dear Brethren,
What is humility, and how important is humility in our Christian
lives? The apostle, Peter, urges us to "be clothed with humility,
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the
proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (1Peter 5:5-6)
Here is the Biblical definition of humility: Paul warns us that none
of us should, "think of himself more highly than he ought."
(Romans 12:3). When we are young – we were apt to think, "I did it all
myself." Perhaps we thought to ourselves, "I am a self-made man."
Humility is learning the opposite: We are not self-sufficient. Not
only does Paul warn us not to compare ourselves among ourselves in 2Corinthians 10:12, he adds rather, "In lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3)
The best example of humility is Jesus Christ’s example. "Being
found in appearance as a man, He [Jesus] humbled Himself and became obedient to
the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8) Paul also put it this way: “You know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that
ye through his poverty might be rich." (2Corinthians 8:9)
Our human nature wants us to be somebody, to have things our way.
Human nature wants to be boss. Human nature wants to look good.
Humility, on the other hand, is being down to earth and free of pretense.
Human nature wants the attention and the “lime light.” Human nature wants
to be recognized and rewarded. Human nature is status-conscious.
Godly humility is accepting ourselves as we truly are, so that we feel no
urge to inflate our social status or to pretend to be something more than we
really are. Our human nature wants us to go up the ladder of
success, and to have the high position or rank. Just like Diotrephes in
III John - human nature wants the preeminence.
Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. He became the lowest of
the low. Humility for us is showing God that we willingly take on the
“dirty jobs” that no one else wants to do, without seeking the
credit. "Let this mind [a humble 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 servant, like a man . . . made Himself of no
reputation [humility] 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." (Philippians 2:5-8)
Our Christianity requires that we don’t become frustrated or get angry
because we think we haven't been given a sufficiently prestigious
assignment at work, at home, or at play. God says
humility is a basic requirement that He expects of us: "What does
the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
your God?" (Micah 6:8)
Pride is the enemy of humility. Pride is the opposite of
humility. Human nature wants to be advanced and honored. "The
fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is
humility." (Proverbs 15:33)
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Sermon: |
"Before Honor Is Humility" |
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