Genuine Humility
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Key Verse: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Selected Scripture: |
THE APOSTLE PAUL loved the brethren at Philippi very much, and encouraged them to be filled with the spirit of Christlikeness. He told them, “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 2:1-5, New American Standard Version
One of the most important desires the consecrated child of God should have is that he might be more faithful and pleasing to the Heavenly Father. Humbleminded Christians, as Paul explains, are more prepared than others to learn the valuable experiences that are permitted to come into their consecrated lives.
They learn to patiently wait upon the Lord, and pray that his will may be done. God cannot exalt anyone who is not of humble mind and spirit. The most submissive will receive the greatest blessing.
The apostle’s joy would be fulfilled in proportion as he was able to recognize in his brethren the proper quality of Christlikeness and love for the Lord. To be like-minded suggests a spirit of love and unity, and hearts that are united in one purpose among the various members of the body of Christ. Our Lord Jesus, in his prehuman existence as the Logos, was a humble and obedient Son of God. He did not attempt to exalt himself, or to seek a name higher than his own, as Satan did. He had no intention of putting himself on an equality with his Heavenly Father. The apostle expresses this thought about the Logos, and says: “Who, though being in God’s form, yet did not meditate a usurpation to be like God, but divested Himself, taking a bondman’s form, having been made in the likeness of men; and being in condition as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”—Phil. 2:6-8, Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott
When asked by his Heavenly Father to leave his heavenly home, humble himself and become a man on a much lower plane of existence, the Logos promptly accepted the task before him. The psalmist provides a record of Jesus’ humble disposition. He writes: “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God.”—Ps. 40:7,8
The Master was ready at any cost to lay down his life in sacrifice for the whole human family. During his earthly ministry as a perfect man, our Lord Jesus always manifested the spirit of love and reverence for God. The lesson for all of the Lord’s people in these closing years of the Gospel Age is to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”—I Pet. 5:6
Our Lord has shown us the course which will lead to faithfulness. As he was humble in doing God’s will, so likewise all who have chosen to walk with him should strive to put on genuine humility.