Day 26: Humility

Paul identifies humility as the starting point of a believer's reasonable response to the gospel.

Phil 2:3: Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. (NET)

To me, it's one of the most clearly stated instructions we have in the New Testament. We can argue the ambiguity in “love your neighbor…,” because who is my neighbor really? We debate “repent and be baptized,” wondering what does true repentance require? We disagree over “faith without works is dead” as we question what the author meant by “dead.” But, there is no ambiguity in Paul's instruction to the Philippians. If we really consider others to be “more important than ourselves,” then his next instruction begins our fulfillment of God's call on our lives. Paul states in verse 4, “Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.” This is the fundamental perspective of a Church rooted in love.

Selfish ambition is juxtaposed to unity and love in verse 2. Paul throws in an important reference to “purpose” as well. In doing so, he reveals the foundation of a believer's roadmap to life…

Love leads us to humility because humility best positions us for unity which fulfills God's purpose for our lives.

When you are challenged to be more Christ-like, what's the first thought that comes to mind? Christ is a righteous law keeper. Are you? Christ is a great teacher. Shouldn't you be? He is a miracle worker. He is the calm amidst the storm. In which of these areas would you most hope to be like Christ? I would think the attribute we should pursue most is the one that will eventually drive us all to our knees in worship before Him.

Phil 2:5: You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, 6 who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. 8 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! 9 As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (NET)

Early in His ministry Christ offered an invitation.

Matt 11:28-29: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NET)

Have you known hard times plowing to develop your own fields of accomplishment, recognition, and pride? Does the yoke you're wearing now seem gentle and humble?

This quarter of 40 Days centers on the Church and the purpose of every believer. In order for the Church to function as one body we must embrace the reality that interdependence is better than independence. Steven Covey explains in 7-Habits of Highly Effective People that our production capacity can only reach it's potential when we learn to rely on others and stop thinking of ourselves as the only one who is capable of doing what needs to be done. The paradigm of thinking more of ourselves than we ought undermines more than just our professional careers.

Interdependent