THE DISCIPLE’S HUMILITY
Philippians 2:1–11 (NIV)
ILLUSTRATION Martin Luther reportedly told of two mountain goats who met each other on a narrow ledge just wide enough for one of the animals to pass. On the left was a sheer cliff, and on the right a steep wall. The two were facing each other, and it was impossible to turn or to back up.How did they solve their dilemma? If they had been people, they would have started butting each other until they plunged into the chasm together. But according to Luther, the goats had more sense than that. One of them lay down on the trail and let the other literally walk over him—and both were safe.
Christ’s followers should be humble just like Christ. Our humility should conform to Christ’s humility. Christ’s humility is different from the world’s perspective of humility. Therefore it is important that we understand the nature of Christ’s humility and as His followers, we must adopt it in our way of life.
Read Philippians 2:1-11.
1. The Need for Humility (vv. 1-4)
Why do we need humility?
In verse 1, Paul reminded them of their common experiences with Christ and the Holy Spirit such as “encouragement, comfort, sharing, tenderness, and compassion.”Then in verse 2, he told them that his joy would be completed if they would demonstrate unity by “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
This teaches us that what Christ or the Spirit taught and did for us serves as the basis for promoting unity in the church. It is not our personal ideology and opinions but what Christ taught us and the works of the Holy Spirit are the foundation of our unity.
Ephesians 2:14–18 (NIV) 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
But the elements of unity such as “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” could only be achieved in spirit of humility (read verses 3-4). Paul noted that humility is giving value on others above self. When you think of pride, it always gives preference to self than others.
Psalm 10:4 (NIV) 4In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Pride excludes God and has no room for God. If the proud person could do this to God then he would surely do it to his fellow humans.
Luke 18:9–13 (NIV) 9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
Don’t do anything for selfish purposes which result in creating a partisan spirit. “Vain conceit” is a groundless glory.
ILLUSTRATION The late Prof. Irwin Edman of Columbia University once had a chat with a French monk who bemoaned the fact that his order was not as famous as the Jesuits for scholarship or the Trappists for silence and good works. “But,” he added, “when it comes to humility, we’re tops.” —Leonard Lyons
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) 14“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
The Bible reminds us that everything we have come from God our provider. There is no basis for pride and arrogance. The antidote for vain conceit is to be humble toward one another and especially before God. Humility is one of the most important Christian moral attitudes.
The Greek moralist regarded humility as the subservient attitude of a lower-class person, an attitude of utter self-abasement. But in the New Testament, based on the example of Christ, humility acquires a positive meaning. It connotes the lowly service done by a noble person.
When applied to the follower of Christ, we became important because of the importance God placed on us. When we do lowly service, that is humility. Humility before God is a recognition of one’s utter dependence on Him which leads to humility in one’s relations with his fellow humans. One aspect of humility is selflessness. Humility does not only protect your own interest but the interests of others too.
2. The Example of Humility (vv. 5-8)
Paul exhorted the followers of Christ to adopt humility of Christ (v. 5). He said “have the same mindsets as Christ Jesus.” We need to pattern our humility to that of Christ’s. Being recipients of God’s love and grace, we need to live our lives for him and according to his ways.
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV) 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
How did Christ show His humility? (vv. 6-8)
a) He is God but he made himself nothing by taking the nature of a servant.
Notice the contrast, by nature He is God but assumed the nature of servant.
John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Colossians 1:15 (NIV) 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Christ had the nature of God. But He did not even demand equality with God nor used his divinity to his own advantage. He became like us and lived like us. Humility is one’s willingness to step down from his glorious status to that of a lowly one in order to serve others.
b) He also showed his humility “by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross.”
The cross is not just a symbol of sufferings but also of condemnation and shame. During the time of Christ, the cross is a punishment for the criminals and immoral people. Jesus despite of his sinlessness and righteousness embraced the condemnation and degradation by men. Sometimes we complain because don’t deserve the condemnation and degradation by men. In some cases, it is true but as a follower of Christ we should be willing to embrace that for the purpose of doing the will of God and pleasing our God. That is humility.
Romans 5:19 (NIV) 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
God in his humility thought about us. He emptied himself of his divinity and became like us and serve us.
3. The Reward of Humility (vv. 9-11)
As a result of Christ’s humility, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Two truths stand out in these verses.
a) God exalted him.
Exaltation is the natural result of humiliation. God hyper exalted Him. He took the lowest point of his earthly role later on He was given highest honor, the Lordship.
Luke 14:11 (NIV) 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
1 Peter 5:6 (NIV) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
b) God gave him the name that is above every name.
Name is not simply a designation to distinguish one person from another. In its biblical sense, it carries the idea of one’s character, position, role, rank, and dignity. The “name that is above every name” means the highest rank or dignity of all. The reference is most probably to “LORD” and “JESUS.” The Lord signifies authority by which every knee should bow. Jesus signifies savior by whom every tongue should acknowledge to get save.
Romans 14:11 (NIV) 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ”
The Bible declares that every knee should bow to only one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Therefore Jesus was rewarded for his humility. Similarly, don’t hesitate to humble yourself now because it was promised that you would be exalted later on. When God exalted you, no could take it away from.
Consider the humility of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He humbles himself so he can be like us and communicate God’s love and forgiveness.
