First in a series – Humility
My journey has led me to examine my own sense of humility. How have I moved toward servanthood and away from self-serving interests? How have I looked to devolve from the arrogance admired and emulated by the world?
Philippians 2:3-4 [AMP]
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| 3D Fantasy Castle by Mika |
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
The kingdom path leads forward to humility from the natural pride that that we are all born with.
We must learn to avoid the backward path to selfish arrogance that [so easily besets us].
You see, our King was not born into his royal position. He was born [on earth] into a lowly family and reared in the ‘hood of Nazareth. It was not plush or luxurious. It was later asked if anything good could come from Nazareth. Kingship was conferred upon him as a result of his extreme sacrifice. He was after all God [the fullness of the Godhead in one body] but verse 7 goes on to illustrate: 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [e]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!9 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has[f]freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name,
As I found myself staggering at this place of my journey, I have stopped to ask: “What do I need to do to be more humble?” Someone suggested long ago that you don’t ask the Lord to humble you; be careful what you ask for . . .
