Humility

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the  interests of the others”  (Philippians 2:3,4  NIV).

   No selfish ambition.  Think of the interests of others first.  Not just “Think of others first,” but “think of the interests of others first.”  Paul is telling us to think of what will be best for others before we think of ourselves.   He is not telling us to have no thought for our interests, but don’t make them the first priority.  If the two interests conflict, then work on others behalf first.  This is an echoing of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:12, “Here is simple rule-of-thumb guide for behavior:  Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.  Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”  (MSG)  I really like the way the Message translation states it: “grab the initiative and do it for them.”  If we do that, then the world’s shout of “ME FIRST!” will go by the wayside.  “But if I do that, somebody might take advantage of me.”  That’s true, but real humility is willing to accept that. 

   So, how do we do this?  Colossians 3:12,13 give us a good start.  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.   Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (NIV)  Compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness—If we do these, or even some of these, we will be exhibiting humility and making the world around us a better place.  

   Jesus spoke in Matthew 23:11,12: “The greatest among you will be your servant.   For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NIV)  And then, He later washed His disciples’ feet to demonstrate the behavior He expected of those who follow Him.  Jesus, the most powerful of men, the most intelligent of men, the creator of the universe, humbled Himself to bear the scorn, the whipping, and the crucifixion of men.  He did so in humble obedience to God the Father.  Jesus, the greatest man who ever lived, showed us how to be humble.   He certainly thought of the interests of you and me before He thought of His own physical well-being.  He thought of our interests when He agreed to descend into hell.  And once He was there in hell, He still thought of us as He proceeded to defeat satan and his cohorts on our behalf.  He also fulfilled His own words, “…those who humble themselves will be exalted” when He ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of Father God, where He continues to intercede for us individually.  

   C. S. Lewis, the noted author, said, “True humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  That certainly describes what Jesus did.  He thought of us first.