Humility

Humility is something that we should aspire to. People has a positive image of someone who is humble in comparison to an arrogant person. But what is humility really? I have been thinking and struggling with this myself lately, as I fall a lot in the sin of pride and arrogance. The bible says that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6b). The first sin and the fall of satan were primarily because of pride, wanted to be equal with God. One preacher even said that pride is demonic and it must not reside in the heart of God's children.

In the course of human history, we often heard people say that someone is humble. Many world leaders are great because even though they are capable of doing something great and full of talents such as leading a nation or military soldiers, but they are also humble and considerate of others at the same time.

First of all, I want to think from human point of view of what humility is. Human can lower himself/herself because of the following reasons:

1. Self-pity: the person has no talent, so there is nothing to boast about in his/her life. No matter what circumstances he/she is in, this person is "Minder"towards others. (self-pitying himself)
2. Circumstances: the circumstances do not allow the person to think highly of himself. For example, the person may be among a group of people who are way above him/her in terms of social status, economic condition, expertise, educational background, experiences, etc. Another case is the person is forced to humble himself by law/circumstances.
3. Self-willing because of his/her love and respect for other human being. An example of this is that a father is willing to beg just for the family to have food on the table
4. Self-willing because of his/her love and respect for God. An example of this is Jesus and the prophets in the Old Testament who are willing to give everything to do God's will.

A person who does (1), (2) cannot be considered humble at all. (3) has merit because the person did it for other people and not himself/forced to do so. (4) has the highest merit because it is not for self-gain and it is done because of his/her love for her Creator, who is the very reason of why he/she lives.

Looking at the bible, I can't help to acknowledge that Jesus is our most humble God and human being at the same time. Jesus teaches about humility in (Luke 14:7-14). He gave an example on how a person who exalts himself will be humbled, yet a person who humbles himself will be exalted. Funny enough, Jesus did not just teach, but with integrity Jesus also did the same thing. The verse in Philippians struck me hard on how Jesus actually humbled Himself so much that God exalted Him above all names in heaven and under the earth. (Philippians 2:5-11). To me this is the fulfillment of what He taught earlier in Luke 14.

So going back to the definition of humility, is humility equal to

1. Not acknowledging what we have in life and always look at others as more highly than ourselves or
2. Acknowledging that God is the giver of what we have in life?

I supposed it is very clear that normal people will choose the later. After all, Jesus acknowledged Himself as God in front of His disciples and Pontius Pilate, Cayaphas, etc. He did not hide the fact that He was God plus the first seemed like self-pity if we look at it closely.

But I just can't help to think of the Word in Philipians which says that Jesus emptied Himself. According to the bible, it means that Jesus, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself and take form of a servant (which is the total opposite of God), humbled Himself until He died on the cross. And that's why God the Father exalts Him so much and He is forever to be praised, Amen. So in this case, Jesus because of His obedience to God, did all of that. It's amazing. So to me, humility may mean that times that because of our obedience to God, God wants us to lower ourselves, social status, and doing God's Will. Even though we are great and able to do lots of things, sometimes because of God's will, we need to humble ourselves and let go of all those self-attributes, self-righteousness to do His will.

Letting go of what we are/have at times because of our love for God is not equal to self-pity. I believe that's true humility!!!

In less than 6 months, God-willing I'll be married. I humbly ask God that Me and nonik will grow in humility towards each other.