Jesus Teaches about Relationships
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Key Verse: “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Selected Scripture: |
HUMILITY IS OF THE UTMOST importance to the follower of Christ, especially when we consider that the other fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit cannot be properly developed without it. (Gal. 5:22,23) True humility is that condition of mind and heart which causes us to have a proper appreciation of our own worth and that of others. As believers in Christ Jesus, it includes the realization of the great value of the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Such realization should result in a condition of mind which enables us to always keep the Lord fully in view and ourselves out of sight to the greatest extent possible.
Having humility means the possession of the mind of Christ. We must, as he did, let God enter into our mind, and into our heart. To do so means we must be teachable, which is an aspect of humility the Scriptures identify as meekness. Our Lord invites us to “learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:29) As a child of God, it is necessary that we develop “a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”—I Pet. 3:4
It is a humble disposition of heart which has allowed us to make an acceptable consecration of ourselves to do God’s will. Having humbled ourselves to this extent, we are then enabled to begin working on the development of the New Creature. Consider these words from Paul: “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye have put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt … And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man.” (Eph. 4:21-24) These verses sum up the work of the transformation of our character. As New Creatures, we are to have new hopes and goals, which emanate from our Spirit-begotten mind. Thus are we able to follow our Lord’s instructions, given through the Apostle Paul: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”—Col. 3:2
As our Lord Jesus became obedient unto death, we are to be crucified with him daily—baptized into his death, having offered our all to God in consecration. “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.” (II Tim. 2:11,12) The way that we do this is to follow our Lord’s example in every aspect of our life. Because he was perfect, he has provided for us the best example possible. We are witnesses that he was “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Thus we have much to accomplish in our Christian walk, as embodied in the words, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”—Rom. 12:2
Only a handful of these witnesses for Jesus ever actually saw him. However, all who have made an acceptable consecration to God during this Gospel Age have believed the testimony of Paul when he proclaimed that Jesus was raised from the dead and was highly exalted to the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Eph. 1:18-23) These also accept and preach the further testimony of Paul, who declared that ultimately “every knee should bow, … And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”—Phil. 2:10,11