BY Diana Stone
What comes to mind when we think of humility? Someone weak? A person who lets everyone run over them? An impossible state of being? What is true humility and what is simply putting yourself down in hopes someone else will tell you how wonderful you are?
When we think of humility as Christians, we know Jesus as the perfect example. What we may not think of are the reasons He was like He was. Absolutely, He had every right to be exalted by the world. Instead He choose to start out His story different from the moment it happened. Unwed mother. Stable birth. Fleeing from a king instead of a childhood home. Growing up always different. Put to death in the most cruel, humiliating way possible.
You may know all of this, it may have been told to you over and over with the ending of “because Jesus loved us so much.”
What strikes me is this: Jesus did this because His Heavenly Father asked Him to. He lived and died for the glory of God. Just like in growing up, His death wasn’t for accolades or attention. He didn’t die so we, as imperfect creations, could tell Him how amazing He was for the rest of eternity. It was for obedience, and in being obedient, He needed to humble himself to our level. He had to, what would this story hold for our hearts and minds if Jesus grew up in a castle with servants and died at 90 in a gold bathtub? And yet, He easily could have and instead chose to obey.
Yes, Jesus died for our sins and to set us free from the rules and regulations we are still so bound by. But this act was in complete obedience to what He was sent to earth to accomplish. When we think of how and why He died, our thoughts should be on how amazing it was He could follow the path set for Him to the very end, even while we turned our backs on Him and He had His heart break for us.
Jesus was the very definition of humble. He was able to say no when He needed, to put others first each time He could, to obey His father at the cost of His life, and to set aside His own ego to accomplish what no one else could ever do.
What a Savior. What an amazing example of perfect humility.
33 thoughts on "humility"
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What strikes me is this: Jesus did this because His Heavenly Father asked Him to. He lived and died for the glory of God. Just like in growing up, His
death wasn’t for accolades or attention. He didn’t die so we, as imperfect creations, could tell Him how amazing He was for the rest of eternity. It was
for obedience, and in being obedient, He needed to humble himself to our level. He had to, what would this story hold for our hearts and minds if Jesus
grew up in a castle with servants and died at 90 in a gold bathtub? And yet, He easily could have and instead chose to obey.You know, I hate to say that I actually have thought that part of the reason Jesus died was He wanted our priases for it. when I think of it and verbalize it, I can't believe I thoguht that! to know that though he deserves our endless praise for what He did, he didn't do it for that reason! wow! this really struck me today, ladies. i wonder if I'm alone.
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Not alone at all in your thoughts!!! That concept also struck me today.
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I have thought that too, because well in the end we all will…even unbelievers. Truly awesome, isn't it, that he chose to live and die in the limited form of man…fully human, fully divine. His actions involved so much more than I can comprehend. Why other than love and obedience would JESUS leave heaven where He lived with constant praise to be spit on, denied, betrayed even yet in this world? The only response I have is worship and obedience, but He didn't come to get that–he came to you and me…all who would believe.
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This is such a thought-provoking and eye-opening concept for me. I struggle with self-worth issues and seek affirmation from others. In an apparent effort to get that affirmation, I notice that I often point-out my accomplishments to others and remind them of the times all the little extra things I've done. I'm especially guilty of this at work and with my husband. Not a shining example of humility.
Christ did many amazing things here on Earth without hope of receiving praise from others. The motivation behind his actions was obeying and glorifying God- that's it. He was so full of faith and love, that affirmation from others was unimportant and unnecessary.
I'm praying for strength to live with more humility and to stop seeking the approval of others since God is the only one I need to please. He will fill me with peace.
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I also experience the same. Sometimes I find that I do this withoiut even trying.
On the other hand I’ve been told that I don’t know how talented,how blessed I. Am that I’m not using the gifts God blessed me with.As an overcomer of childhood abuse I am constantly trying to find the balane between feeling invisible and wanting to be seen. I am much better than I use to be, but at 58 its still a struggle.
Pray n 4 u
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Lovely!
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What a Savior!! What a perfect example of humility!! WOW!! He was humble and therefore He glorified God! His whole life was to glorify God! Yes, in an age where the focus is on ME, My rights, SELF, we as Christians HAVE to be more like Christ!! We HAVE to live our lives as He did – an example of obedience and humility so that we can GLORIFY GOD!! For that is our purpose too!
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Wow. Super powerful. I definitely needed to be reminded of what Christlike humility looks like, as opposed to self-serving humility. Thanks!
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I struggle with humility, mostly the definition and real-world examples/situations. Through today's devotional, I understand now that Jesus is the ultimate example and definition of humility. When I questions how to act/respond/treat humbly, I can look to Him for guidance. My prayer today is that I am reminded of this definition of humility and obedience when I face people and situations that I'm tempted to be prideful or self-serving. That God tugs at my heart and shows me how to do this.
Jesus lived and died for the glory of God, not for accolades or attention. Everything he did, in thought and action, was for the glory of God. He didn’t die so we, as imperfect creations, could tell Him how amazing He was for the rest of eternity. It was for obedience.
Lord, help me to do and think and speak without needing others to recognize or tell me how good I did or thank you. Teach me, help me learn how to be obedient.
Humility. Obedience. Lord, you are so good.
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"He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV)
I find it so interesting that we are living in a time when the mainstream channel of thought is all about:
SELF-preservation,
SELF-promotion,
SELF-care,
SELF-love.
The world is so focused on the SELF."Be good to yourself" and don't forget to "take time for yourself." Encouragement by authors, speakers, gurus, etc. Our friends might look to "things" to help find fulfillment. The longing deep within.
It's such a far cry from what Jesus modeled for us. He looked away from himself and to the Father. He shrunk away from the accolades and often told his followers to keep his works quiet until the right time came. He didn't need the limelight. After all, he is the Light. And he wants us to BE lights…not under big flashing ones for all to see. So that HE is glorified. We put others first, so that we can reflect the light within us…for HIS glory.
"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NIV) -
humilty, obedience, choices. I have struggled so long. Thank you all for such great insight. What a true blessing I am finding through all of you & the love of our Father.
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