What is Humility? Making The Most Of Every Opportunity:
I grew up with four brothers and they were all involved in the sport of wrestling. Sixteen years ago, they started wrestling and just last week I watched as my younger brother wrestled his last college match. He made it to the national tournament and finished well. He trained hard in preparation for an intense tournament with tough competition. Although he came close and lost in the end, he couldn’t have reacted in a better way. He finished the match, pointed up, smiled, and walked toward his coach knowing it was the last time he would walk off the mat as a college wrestler. I ran down to meet him, my older brother, and my parents. He could’ve reacted to the loss in so many ways, but he chose to thank the Lord and honor him even in the loss. He was thankful that the Lord allowed him to do something that he loved for so long. I saw an aspect of humility in my brother`s character that day and nothing could have made me happier than to see him end a chapter of his life seeking to please the Lord in every phase of life (Colossians 3.23; Colossians 4:5-6). The Lord values and delights in a humble heart.
Colossians 3.23- “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”
I`ve seen humility displayed in different ways this past week in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I saw someone receive heartbreaking news and I watched as they said “Okay, I`m going to honor the Lord in whatever He has for me.” When my younger brother lost, he thanked the Lord and wanted to honor Him in that loss.
Proverbs 3.5-9 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”
The best example of humility that I have ever seen is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When I came to an understanding of the humility that Christ displayed for me in giving me new life, I had a different perspective on life. The Lord has given me more than I deserve, so anything else He gives is a blessing. I know that whatever happens in this life, it only ends in being welcomed into the arms of my Savior. I should seek to be a good steward of my time, treasure, and talent because the Lord has entrusted me with gifts and my job is to use them well. Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote, “Humility is a divine characteristic to be found in human hearts only as inwrought by the Spirit of God. It is far removed from self-depreciation or an inferiority complex… ‘He who seeks not his own interest, but solely God`s interest, in time and eternity, he is humble’…” (Doctrinal Summarization; p. 190).
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”-C. S. Lewis
What is Humility? Job`s Example Amid Suffering:
If you know the story of Job, you know that he had everything taken from him. His belongings, family, and health were taken from him, one right after the other. His friends accused him of doing evil. Yet, he didn’t question God`s authority. Job displayed true humility. He knew that God was in control, and he didn’t turn away from that truth. All that he had left was his relationship with the Lord and he knew that was all that he needed. Job was in the midst of harsh circumstances, but he knew the One in control and acknowledged that the Lord would sustain him in his time of great need. Job wasn’t interested in protecting his own interests, but in acknowledging that God remained the same no matter what the circumstance may be. He is always worthy of praise, honor, and glory because of His unchanging character.
Hebrews 13.8 “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today and forever.”
What is Humility? Christ Is The Perfect Example:
Christ gave Himself for us and that is true humility. True humility seeks to bring glory and honor to God and looks out for the interests of others (Colossians 3.12-14; Philippians 2.3-8). Christ gives us a perfect example of humility. He went to the cross and gave up His life so that others might live. He came to the earth to do the father’s will and to save the lost (Luke 19.10). He put others before himself and we should follow His example.
Philippians 2.3-8: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
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