According to The Wall Street Journal, there’s a new fad among top-level executives. It’s called humility. One former leader states that humility “is the flavor du jour.” Companies prize humble leaders because they listen well and share the limelight. Of course, the leaders have to actually be humble. Fakers abound, like a former executive who constantly stole the limelight from subordinates. According to one observer, “He didn’t understand the humility part of being humble.”
Jesus fully understood the “humility part of being humble.” Though He was God, He humbled Himself like a slave and lived in obedient submission to God the Father. Jesus willingly became a human being for our sake (Philippians 2:6-7). This wasn’t mere similarity, but true identity with human beings. Christ was born and grew up in humble circumstances (Luke 2:7,12,16,22-24), He was obedient to His human parents (Luke 2:51), He submitted to baptism (Matthew 3:13-15), He endured insults and ill-treatment (Matthew 26:66-67; 1 Peter 2:23), and ultimately humbled Himself by dying a criminal’s death on a cross to save us (Philippians 2:8).
Unquestionably, Jesus demonstrated full and willing humility. His life of humble obedience to the Father is a model for us. We’re called to empty ourselves of our self-interests, submit to God, and follow Him. When we humble ourselves, He promises to delight in us, rescue us, lift us up, support us, lead us in His way, and be gracious to us.
To refuse to humble ourselves before God is to invite Him to humble us. He will do so, not to hurt us, but to restore and renew us (1 Peter 5:5-7). In Jesus, may the Holy Spirit empower us to live free of self-interest as we willingly serve others.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Revelation 1:1-20
More:
Read 1 Kings 3:7 and consider the humility of King Solomon.
Next:
What makes it difficult for you to swallow your pride and serve others as Jesus did? What are some practical things you can do to demonstrate humility this week?
godlove on December 29, 2016 at 4:16 am
Thank you for this important reminder, Marvin. I have always found the utter lack of humility in some church leaders today to be quite astonishing. Jesus Christ, who set the example for us His followers, was the epitome of humility. From His birth in the most humble setting, to His humiliating torture and death in the hands of common man, and all through His ministry here on earth, He taught and showed by example what true humility looks like. As God, He didn’t even ‘need’ to do it that way. I think His humility is just another manifestation of His great love towards man, meaning we, too, by showing humility, are reflecting God’s love. Jesus’ words to His disciples in Mark 10:43-45 stands out for me as a call to humility, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” So I make that prayer in the last line mine as well: In Jesus, may the Holy Spirit empower us to live free of self-interest as we willingly serve others. Amen.
Monica Brands on December 29, 2016 at 9:28 am
Thanks, godlove. I agree with you that the importance of humility is a crucial one to regain in our context. One of my seminary professors emphasized that being “jerks for Jesus” (even if we were right about a given issue) is not OK and does such damage to the reputation of the gospel. Humility, respect for others, and fair assessment of their views is as central as any other mark of discipleship.
Gary Shultz on December 29, 2016 at 6:08 am
Hi Marvin: As Godlove said, Christ set the example. I find pride always by my side and we all know what a showoff it likes to be. Once again this is one of these things we don’t consider as deeply as we should. We have no way to weigh the amount of majesty Christ laid aside to chose to obey a rescue plan. We have no real idea what is was like to come to a sin laden earth and be restricted even unto death. It shouldn’t even be a contest after a consideration of what Christ sacrificed, but we know that is not true. For someone to be truly humble is not a natural state. Even if an individual is not a believer, principles of godly design must be put in place to get any where close to humble. Many things in the life of a believer must be of continual practice, humility is certainly one, we need help, and we need to draw close to God. It makes the comparison easier, understanding God’s grace to us. Thanks Marvin, may humility grace us in 2017.
Monica Brands on December 29, 2016 at 9:29 am
“May humility grace us in 2017” — now that’s a beautiful New Year’s Resolution.
hsnpoor on December 29, 2016 at 6:53 am
If the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, pride is surely the root of ALL evil, as evidenced by the original sin in the garden; i.e., to be like God. Knowing what we now know about the God who created us, humbled Himself to death on a cross to save us out of His great love for us, why indeed do we find it so difficult to squash pride in our lives to be able to serve others as He has asked us to in return for what He has done for us? That is quite the question and I don’t like where it looks like the answer is taking me. Could it be that, in spite of all He has done for us, we just don’t trust God; or, maybe we trust ourselves more than we trust Him???
tim gustafson on December 29, 2016 at 8:45 am
Hello, hsnpoor. Excellent comment today. What did John say? “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life …” None of that stuff is of the Father.
On a completely unrelated note, I recall that you were one of the contributors here who was curious about KT Sim’s education. He has just returned from holiday with family and he tells me that it was Singapore Bible College.
hsnpoor on December 29, 2016 at 10:14 am
Thank you, Tim! We weren’t asking about K. T.’s credentials, but rather for those of the contributor who started that particular chain of discussion, carlpozyck, who had indicated in his comment that he had written a paper as part of his college work for his Biblical Studies degree on the subject matter being discussed. That comment caused GG to inquire where he had obtained his Biblical Studies degree, and Sandy & I chimed in that we would be interested in knowing that as well. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding and hope you weren’t inconvenienced in bringing the info on KT’s degree to us, but certainly appreciate you for doing so. Wishing you and yours a Happy & Blessed New Year in 2017 and always!
gagirllive on December 29, 2016 at 10:54 am
Hi, Marvin. Great devo today. I can never read/study enough about humility. It’s something that I want so badly, yet fail so often at trying to attain. Is it part of the fruit of the Spirit and therefore something that only He produces in us as we abide and are filled with Him? I believe Colossians 3: 12 tells us to “put it on”, suggesting, to my understanding, that I can CHOOSE to “wear” it. And, as you’ve written, we are also told to humble “ourselves”. So I’m thinking, as with all things in discipleship, we are called to follow in His steps, BUT those steps are empowered. In other words, His commands are His enablement. (Is that a word? I see a red squiggly line. 🙂 ) Marvin, for me, humility begins with the right perspective about my relationship with God and man…in that order. I must remain conscious of this truth: I am submitted to God and a servant of man. If I can flesh that out everyday in my relationships, then I might start to look like Jesus. The problem is that I don’t always remain conscious of that. There are these 3 distractors (um…squiggly line again) that keep popping up—me, myself, and I. Do you know them too? 🙂 Thanks for this good meditation today, Marvin. Praying that we all live closer to the Micah Mandate in 2017—Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God! (Micah 6: 8) Grace and peace, sojourners.
hsnpoor on December 29, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Ok, GG, I think it is officially time for you to open your own blog. This was a great comment and really engaged my mind gears. Humility really is a tough nut to crack, probably because there are so few living examples of it. I remember praying for it for a long season daily. And that prayer would always end with “and Lord as you honor and answer this prayer in my life please help me not be proud of my humility”. God bless you, GG!
gagirllive on December 29, 2016 at 1:43 pm
LOL!! I know, right?!
sarmb on December 29, 2016 at 11:49 am
Marvin, your question about what makes it difficult to swallow my pride really made me think. I realize that for me the answer is insecurity. I’m constantly seeking approval so I find myself wanting to show-off my achievements or abilities. Hard to admit such an ugly trait, for sure. But this truth makes me recognize three basic facts:
(1) I have no reason to be insecure because I’m a child of the King! There is no higher calling!
(2) The only approval that counts is God’s. If He is pleased with my thoughts, words and deeds, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
(3) Every ability I have and any achievement I may have attained are only by God’s grace. I can’t take credit for ANYTHING!
These are probably obvious to most of the forum readers (and to me, too). Yet I seem to forget so easily! My response to today’s devotional will be to make every effort to keep these truths in the forefront of my mind. Pride isn’t possible if I live by these truths. Thanks for a very practical devotional.
gagirllive on December 29, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Ahh…It’s often the “obvious” that trips us up, isn’t it? What you’ve shared is “common to man”, friend. I have a strong feeling that us forum folks can identify. 🙂 Thanks for weighing in today!
hsnpoor on December 29, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Sarmb, just because your comments may be obvious, it doesn’t make them any less true and appreciated. Thank you for the timely, on-point reminders! Those are 3 great points to start the year out right, along with GG’s Micah mandate! Blessings to you!