Humility

II Tim.2:24-25 - And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

I Pet.5:5-6 - 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. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:


Phil.2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Ja.4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Matt.23:11-12 - But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Humility. The dictionary defines humility as acting without arrogance and in an attitude of submissiveness. Of course, on the surface and in the context of human interaction, this serves as a general definition. However, we as believers are called to a much deeper level of humility that actually mirrors the humility exhibited by the Incarnation. This is a very difficult concept to comprehend, and it is even more difficult to reveal in practical ways, both in our outward behavior and speech, and in the unseen attitudes of the heart.

How can we understand the relationship between boldness and humility? All the attributes of Christ are symbiotic in nature and practice, and therein lies a profound challenge for those of us who name His name. We have so diluted the way of Jesus until it is nothing more than a set of morals combined with church membership and some tepid support for world missions. Say a prayer, get baptized, and off you go! What a disgrace.

But we are called to exhibit uncommon humility. Where are the Sunday School classes that teach a one year study on humility? Where are the mentors that take new believers under their wing and teach them the humility that goes against all they have ever known and seen practiced? Do we assume that when a sinner is born again that he automatically understands the distinct differences between what he has lived and what Christ desires for him now? This kind of humility only comes through discipline, and is always accompanied by a severe resistance of the flesh as well as seemingly illogical behavior. What I mean is that Christlike humility does not make sense in the natural, and it sometimes seems to surrender, when in reality it is a conduit of the Spirit.

Humility has been significantly lost in the church. In fact, the church by and large does not even pursue humility, especially a humility that reflects the condescension encapsulated in Christ’s incarnation and His subsequent death on the cross. And if we understand the infinite dynamics of such a humility, then how does it translate into words and deeds, and more challenging, into heart attitudes? With what spiritual instruments does God use to break us and remold us into the image of the Lord Jesus?

The immediate problem is that we are unaware of our plight, and because of decades of unchristian teaching and behavior within the church, we compare ourselves with ourselves and are blind to the uncomfortable mirror of the Word. Rather than going to the Word with no preconceived notions, we are content to allow preachers, who themselves are blind, to dictate soothing falsehoods to us. The challenges of being like Jesus, especially in His humility, are colossal. So why then are the redundant gatherings on Sunday mornings so palatable and edifying without being searching instruments of the Spirit that penetrate our very hearts and drive us to repentance? The answer, of course, lies directly with the human instrument.

I believe humility is an attitude that is filled with salt and light. All the evangelistic programs, regardless of how creative and relevant, cannot match the effectiveness of a group of Christ followers who are humble and broken. The power of a broken and humble saint cannot be overstated. The world does not need slicker programs or outreaches that are designed to be relevant to their fallen lives. What lost people need is an exhibition of Christ that radiates through His followers in humble glory.

Here is the eternal God, allowing Himself to be fashioned in the likeness of a sinful man, and the Spirit exhorts us to exhibit that kind of humility. Oh my. This is not just some “you go first” in the bank line humility. This kind of humility is powerful and dynamic, and the life force of Jesus the Christ flows through such humility. This kind of humility bows to its enemies so that the enemy may see and believe in Christ. This kind of humility does not argue about moral issues with lost people, this humility understands their condition and seeks redemption rather than victory in some argument, or worse yet, some hollow legislative victory. Why do we seek justice for others and grace for ourselves? And like Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, our energy toward bringing sinners to justice blinds us to our own legalistic judgments even when we ourselves were so worthy of eternal death.

Think on this. The Incarnate God allowed His face to be spat upon by wicked and fallen men, and yet we take umbrage at the slightest verbal assault upon our character. I have some news for all of us. You are not as holy as you think, and you are not the perfect representation of God to the world. We should take persecution with both the acknowledgement that much of what people see may be true, as well as giving Him all the glory when we are spoken against for His sake. In fact, Jesus told us to rejoice!

That is one of the many things that is so deadly about politics and nationalism. They are void of humility and full of self righteousness. So you were born by God’s providence upon a certain piece of dirt, and to that dirt you are proud? By God’s grace you have learned a little bit about morality, and now you stand upon that grace and spew law to the lost? What hypocrites we are. We were without hope in a large pit and God pulled us up and gave us life, and no sooner are we dusted off and given this life then we look downward into the pit and castigate the ones from whose company we just came. Again, hypocrites.

Look at what Paul says to us. We should be “gentle to all men” because through our loving humility God may grant to them repentance. And just what do we think the word meekness means? I have heard many a preacher say, “We are not supposed to be doormats.” Yes we are! And would to God we were all crimson doormats upon which sinners stepped and wiped their carnal feet, but found Christ. Look again at the cross and see a public display that soars above what we consider being a doormat. Paul wished himself accursed so that the lost Jews may be saved. Talk to me about your rights and how we are not called to lay down our very lives if necessary for the salvation of the lost. Again, we have distorted the truth.

We are living an easy and comfortable kind of Christianity. Our walk of faith costs us nothing. We gossip and speak evil against almost anyone. We retaliate when attacked. Our prayer closets are uninhabited, and the church houses are dark most nights of the week, and yet we claim that the situation is desperate. And not only are we not humble, but we have lost what it means to be a humble servant of our Lord and Master. We claim to believe that the end is near, but it does not substantially affect the way we live. Doctrine without works is dead.

When we are puffed up and speak great and swelling words about our stands for truth and morality, we seem to share the spotlight with Him and actually countermand the grace of God. Humility must be practiced, and in that process, we will fail. But we must remain vigilant every moment for the pride of life that rears its ugly head with the cloak of moral hubris and doctrinal purity. Our enemies must see a humble love that embraces them in spite of their sin in earnest hopes of redemption. Our behavior must be remarkable in a darkened world which eagerly defends itself and attacks those who they deem worthy of attack.

Matt.5:45-47 - That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Do you really love Barney Frank? Do you love Barak Obama? Do you love Glenn Beck? Do you love the teacher that mistreated your child? Do you love the most unloving member of your extended family? And if not, are you praying earnestly for a change of heart?

Ps.119:165 - Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Do you love yourself or do you love God and His Word? Those that love God love others. And those that love themselves do not love others. The foundation of love is humility. Without humility we will all think more highly of ourselves than we should, and in so doing we will be blinded to the vision of Jesus Christ. This is not some minor point of doctrine. This must be seen as pivotal if we are to be ambassadors for the Lord Jesus. It is surely not easy, but it is only impossible if we close our eyes to it and live without the cross carrying life of a humble servant.

Selah.