\Hu*mil"i*ty\, n.; pl. Humilities. 1. The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness. 2. An act of submission or courtesy. Lowliness; humbleness; meekness; modesty; diffidence.
So says the English dictionary: humility is “lowliness of mind,” “a sense of one’s own unworthiness.” Humility is turning our eyes downcast, convincing ourselves we are worth no more than dirt, telling our-selves that everyone around us so much better than we are, and then saying we ought to serve them with happiness and joy? If this were the mindset of the early disciples, in a time when Jesus’ name was first being preached and the government, from top-to-bottom, set their sights on eliminating these “Christ-followers,” I suspect there would be no Christianity today, no worshipping Jesus as Messiah and King. Let’s be honest: if that is humility, why don’t we just put a gun to our throats and pull the trigger? What hope do we have? Who wants to live in self-denial; who wants to cringe away from conflict; who wants to live their lives as dirt-trodden slaves? Is this the life-changing adventure of real Christianity? Is this the blessed life Jesus calls us to when after washing the disciples’ feet during the Last Supper he says,
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now was others’ feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master, an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.” –John 13:12-17. The Message
Does the dictionary come close to what real humility is all about? No. Where is Jesus’ self-denial? Where is his “lowliness of mind,” his sense of unworthiness? Jesus didn’t deny who he was—“That is what I am.” Jesus didn’t have any lowness of mind—“What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious.” Jesus certainly didn’t have any sense of unworthiness—he was the only worthy person to ever walk the earth, and you better believe he knew it. The blessed life isn’t found in a Webster’s-Dictionary definition of humility; blessed life is found in following Jesus, and becoming humble, as Jesus commanded us when he said, “So if I… washed your feet, you must now wash others’ feet.”
What kind of humility is Jesus talking about? Jesus knows how things really are. Humility isn’t self-denial, it isn’t talking negatively about yourself, it isn’t playing in a praise band or going on a mission’s trip because you want to feel spiritually powerful—in a way, these show a self-centered, pompous, self-righteous attitude. A degraded and much-veiled variant of pride, a very deadly pride. True humility—the humility of Jesus—is seeing ourselves as we really are, as through God’s eyes. It is realizing that we are all on the same playing field; we are all worth the same in God’s eyes; we are brothers and sisters here on earth. It is recognizing that you are no better and no worse than everyone else on this planet. And acting like it. It is truly understanding who God is in the scheme of things—powerful, almighty, King, Creator, Righteous Judge, Living Water. It is also a respect for others, founded in the knowledge that, in the end, none of us will receive special treatment, but our bodies will return to dust, our souls to our final destination.
Jesus knew word-for-word what real humility meant, and he lived it out his entire life:
“[Jesus] had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredible humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” –Philippians 2:5-8, The Message
Real humility is not done for the eyes of men, but the eyes of God. Some so-called “humble servants” are only out there to draw the eyes of others, to strut their stuff as spiritually zealous, when the only zeal they may carry is the zeal for their own self-centered lifestyles. We all know Paul. Former Pharisee Christian-beater, turned fiery Christian missionary to the Gentiles (non-Jews). After Jesus came to him in a radical way on a roadway, Paul discovered real life in Jesus, and is hailed as one of the most influential missionaries of Christian history. He has a thing to say about such “humble servants…”
“Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial… These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud.” –Colossians 2:18, New Living Translation
Real humility is:
1. seeing ourselves as we really are: worthwhile, valuable human beings, brothers and sisters
2. realization who God really is
3. realization who we really are in this play called life
Real humility is not:
1. self-denial, negative thoughts about ourselves, seeing ourselves as worthless trash
2. good deeds to show others how spiritually great we are
3. done out of necessity, but out of love for God
So Jesus knows what real humility is—he lived it out, and told us to live it out. We know what real humility is not—so how in the world can we pick up the torch, carry our cross, and do as Jesus commanded, washing others’ feet?
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to led a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.” –Philippians 2:1-5, The Message
Get along with others. Love each other despite differences and past histories and conflicts. Be deep and real and loving to others. Don’t always worry about being first, about being noticed; don’t always worry about being rewarded for everything you do, or getting promoted every time you say the right words. After all, in the end, it’s not going to matter. Not at all. Step aside. Let others take the advantage. Help others in their fights and battles and day-to-day lives. Help when help is needed. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. This week, no doubt, you’ve had dozens of chances to jump on this thing called genuine humility—maybe you missed the boat or dodged the train; or maybe to took the bull by the horns. Seize the day—live out loud, Jesus-style.
How can you live each day of life, from the moment you wake to the moment you crawl into bed, with the mindset of Jesus Christ? How can you practice real humility—not for the eyes of others, but for the eyes of God? How can you be a blessing—and in turn have your own life blessed?
Here are some Scriptures to think about:
“It’s common knowledge that ‘God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’” –James 4:6, The Message
“Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” –James 1:26,27, The Message
“What I’m saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” –Luke 14:11, The Message
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