Imitating Christ's Humility

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:1-11)

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Jesus was God, the Creator of the universe, and He became a man. When Jesus came to earth from heaven he possessed two natures – a divine nature and a human nature. He never ceased being God but He set aside the glory He had with His Father in heaven and humbled Himself to become a man.

Jesus could have come to earth and demanded that everyone worship Him all day and night. He could have been the wealthiest man on earth with riches beyond imagination. The Bible teaches us that He came to be a servant and to do the will of God the Father. Jesus was not selfish; He focused on doing what His father sent Him to do.

Practicing humility does not mean that we view everyone else as superior, better or more talented, but that Christian love sees others as worthy of preferential or special treatment. Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” We honor people because every person is special, created by God in His image. We need to guard our hearts against prejudice and jealousy towards other people, and serve one another in love just as Jesus did.

We worry too often about our “position” or “status” or getting proper recognition for things we have done. We have to remember that God’s recognition is more important than human praise, and He will lift us up in His time. Just remember Jesus loves us just as we are.

Peace and love,

Sue

"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)