TODAY’S SPECIAL: Philippians 2:1-18
TO CHEW ON: “Let this 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 bondservant and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7
Jesus’ humility didn’t come the way ours often does, through being humiliated - though the religious leaders tried often enough to humiliate Him. Rather, it was demonstrated as He freely chose to make Himself low. We can’t imagine the extent of His plunge. The prophet Daniel’s description of His place of origin gives us a vocabulary-limited idea. It was indescribably grand. He had unlimited power. But He chose to leave all that and join us, small-minded, self-centered creatures on this sin-pocked planet. It’s mind-boggling really.
That’s why Jesus’ example of humility is so instructive to us. For none of us will ever have the reasons to be proud and uppity that He had. I love how a sidebar article in my bible describes it:
“Christ-like humility is manifested in the freedom of God’s Son to affirm the fullness of all God has placed in Him, without needing to flaunt or prove or push it through self-advancement. Jesus’ complete absence of any need to “clutch” for power or attention is manifest humility.”
Fuchsia Pickett in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1662.
Don’t you just love that kind of humility – and want it in your life?
Here are some other facets of humility gleaned from the Bible:
1. It is one of three things God requires of us.
2. Humility on our part shows we are in touch with reality. (See also Romans 12:3)
3. It makes us teachable.
4. It is demonstrated through service.
5. Humility is the foundation of a gracious, others-centered life.
6. It is through humility that Jesus attained His ultimate destiny.
7. Humility will also lead us to attain the highest purpose for our lives.
8. Childlike humility is the route to true greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven.
PRAYER: Dear God, please forgive me my proud, overweening spirit that longs for attention, glory and praise. Give me the desire to be humble and the will to choose the low road, the humble way, the small place. Amen.
Converting To Childhood
Jesus: “... unless you are converted and become as little children
you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:3
You lose sophistication and veneer
and become clear
sing, skip and play
easily laugh and cry
then fall asleep without a care
for Daddy is nearby.
No longer do you worry
about whether there will be
food to eat, clothes to wear
how to get from here to there.
learning your family’s ways and graces.
And once again you fit
into small places.
© 2007 by V. Nesdoly
(First published in 2007 at Utmost Christian Writers)
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