There are many character qualities attributable to a person who is called or functioning as a bond-servant of Christ that we find in the scriptures. But I suggest that the most useful and even essential is that of humility. This English word has its origin in the Latin word humilitas, meaning a state of mind of being free from arrogance and pride. The Greek word used in the NT [tapeinos] primarily means “low-lying”. In other words a humble person is one who is “close to the ground”, i.e. a person who bowed low, kept himself or herself in a lowly position, or was placed in a lowly position. Of course a person might be placed in a “lowly” position but still have a proud or stubborn or non-compassionate heart. The gospel parable given by Jesus of the unforgiving servant is a case in point [Matthew 18:21-35]. In his letter to the Roman believers Paul says: “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation” [Romans 12:16]. The scriptures make clear by the example of Jesus as well as direct instruction, that humility is something we are to not only possess but actually seek, to acquire “more” of: “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” [James 4:10]
Paul states in Philippians 2 that our Lord, “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross“. It appears that Paul is saying there is a direct connection between humility and obedience. Could it be that our obedience to God is, to a considerable degree, determined by the depth and sincerity of our humility? Certainly fear can hinder our obedience [e.g. the ten spies out of fear helped intimidate the Israelites and hindered their obedience to take the land by conquest [Numbers 13:31-33,14:1]. But, pride and arrogance will also cause resistance to our submission to the will and way of God, and thus, directly hinder our obedience. Paul’s statement in the Philippians’ passage, indicates that Christ’s humility was self- initiated, [He humbled himself] self-maintained, even to the point of death, a wretched death on a bloody Roman cross. He was possessed of an enduring humility, that enabled Him to maintain His obedience to the Father, to the very end. Perhaps many of us can humble ourselves in a particular setting or circumstance, but maintaining that kind of spirit or attitude over the long haul, especially in the midst of injustice or mistreatment, might result in our “blowing a fuse” and igniting a retaliatory reaction. No such behavior was present in our Lord when He was so unjustly treated. I am not suggesting a passive approach to life, and as an example, Paul asserted his Roman civil rights when threatened with injustice by his opponents or Roman officials [e.g Acts 25:10-11].
In his book “Humilitas” Australian professor Dr. John Dickson says: ‘Humility is more about how I treat others than how I think about myself’. I suggest however, that how I think about myself, plays a powerful role and effect in how I treat others. Paul refers to himself as “the very least of all saints” [Ephesians 3:8] and even the “foremost” of sinners [I Timothy 1:15]. Perhaps Paul’s viewing himself in these ways formed the bedrock for his humility and life-long obedient service to his Lord.
Where are you in your self-description? Would you describe yourself as a humble person? On what basis? What steps might you take to seek to grow in the area of humility and to begin to back away from engaging in self-promotion, a look-at-me, notice me mindset?
I have never read such a profound and interesting analysis of the concept “humility”, from its origin, to its manifestation in relationships (compassion and absence of pride) , to its dynamics in relationship to obedience to God, to Christ as a perfect example with his enduring humility that is self-initiated and self-maintained, and finally to humility in action in terms of “how I see myself” resulting in “how I treat others”. It reads like a well-knit sweater of Humility. Beautiful!
To answer the questions in the end of the passage, I would say I have always been seeking humility in my life
but I don’t think I possesd a full measure of it yet as is defined above. I had based my understanding of humility on the fact that we’re all sinners in one way or another, therefore never assuming that I am superior to anyone else as a human being. As a result, I have been seeking connection and compassion with needy people around me for many years. However, in the process of treating others, I did not possess the humility of seeing myself as detached from my ego and often ended up feeling hurt and even angry; I was not GENTLE enough or rejoicing in my suffering, or, I was not emotionally mature enough to execute the godly humility! I would complain or criticize at heart. It was my ego looking up!
To grow in the area of humility, I’m determined to pray and repent on a daily basis on “how I think of myself” with the abiding support of Christ…
Cuiping: thank you for your wonderful comment. I think we often view humility as something “nice” to have but not essential. The world is more about skills, knowledge, and power, and less about loving and serving others. In my book I make the comment that the “steps on the down staircase to humility are innumerable, until you arrive at the “landing” and if you ever do, you will find there in the Gethsemanean soil, the knee prints of the Lord Jesus as He wrestled fearfully with embracing the will of His Father [Heb5:7]