Keeping Unity – Humility
In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul admonished Christians to “walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
In the midst of controversy, it is rare to observe brethren to discuss their differences without showing bad attitudes of pride and strife. Unable to separate our self from our view, we often feel attacked and are easily hurt. Consequently, we will be abrasive, critical, or accusative. We must learn to react with these positive attitudes listed in Ephesians 4 to prevent further alienation and to benefit from an honest study of God’s word. When we are united in our attitude toward the word and one another, the study will be profitable.
Jesus began his sermon on the mount with the beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). He warns of those whose desire for the glory of men caused them to do their alms, pray, and even fast to be seen of men. Three of the disciples were often separated from the rest in their walk with Jesus. Once, they witnessed the transfiguration. Perhaps, they felt more important than the other disciples and the others may have envied them. For whatever reason, as they were on the road from the Mount of Transfiguration to Capernaum, they “disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:34-35). Matthew records Jesus calling a little child to him and after setting him in the midst of them, he said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 18:2-3). Little children are unconcerned about who is more or less important, richer or poorer, or who is from one race or another. Until they are influenced by adults, they have no pride to make them feel superior. They are not motivated to succeed by the perception that someone may be greater. This revolutionary teaching of Jesus requires a poor or humble ego. In other words, we must count the other person better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3) and take the role of a servant or slave (Rom. 12:3,9,14; Phil 2:1-8). Slaves have no rights, do they? They are not allowed to get their feelings hurt and “fly off the handle.” They do not say to their masters, “You don’t have a right to talk to me that way” or retaliate when they are humiliated in front of their family by abuse. They do not negotiate terms and argue that they need better clothes or more food. This is not appealing to most people who desire to exalt self and move up the ladder to social success and power.
Jesus is a perfect example of humility. Philippians 2 describes him emptying himself, taking the form of a slave (v. 7), humbled himself and became obedient…(v. 8). This is astronomical considering the fact that he left the glories of heaven to take on human form, the very form he created. The Hebrew writer explains that he “learned obedience” (Heb. 5:8). The gospels portray Jesus submitting to the Father’s will. For example, he says, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done.” Again, “Father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will but your will be done.” He came not to do his own will, but the will of his Father. This describes a servant’s role.
A common misunderstanding is associated with this teaching. Some think that this contributes to a poor self-image or an inferiority complex. Humility is an attitude toward self in relationship to God. Christians are to recognize that we are what we are by God’s grace. We are all imperfect and subject to temptation. The publican, who asked God for mercy because he was a sinner, exemplifies one’s attitude toward self in relationship to God (cf. Luke 18:9-14). Such an attitude avoids “measuring” ourselves by others (2 Cor10:12) to build our ego as the Pharisee did in Luke 18 when he thanked God he was unlike the publican. A humble person has a good self-image because he or she is not pressing for position or recognition. Peter writes, “Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5). Peter connects humility in the servant role toward others to trust in God. James writes, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
In conclusion, humility is a self-image developed according to the example and teaching of Jesus. It chooses to accept the role of serving others, preferring to others not out of an inferiority complex, but from a strong heart of love. Jesus rejected his heavenly status to minister to our needs (Matthew 20:28).
