Why All this Talk about Humility?  Colossians 3.12

Well, hi.

Clothe yourselves with h u m i l i t y, Paul said.  Why am I hammering the point home about the importance of humility?  Because when we are humble, we have better relationships; simply put, if we possess some portion of humility, we are more likely to get along well with others.  Have you looked ahead in Colossians chapter 3?  Paul is about to get specific about all of our relationships, beginning with the most intimate of them . . . marriage!  In order to consider ‘getting along’, humility—right thinking about one’s self in relation to God and others—is fundamental.

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.1 True humility comes from a place of strength and inner security. Genuinely humble people who have a desire to seek the well being of others are generally very secure people--fully aware of their gifts, training, experience, and all of the attributes that make them successful.  Honest, healthy self-assessment results in more than healthy self-assessment; it results in more than a humble constitution; it translates into actions that can be observed, actions that others will want to emulate.2

 ‘Ever notice someone who is truly humble? Study him . . . why is he like that?   Perhaps it is partially his attitude.  Consider this:  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in human appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!³  Isn't it interesting that Paul said 'have the same attitude' as Jesus -- wait a second, is humility an attitude?  (look up 'attitude' in your dictionary -- did Paul say this right?  Is humility an attitude?)   Then it should be easily changed, correct?  I think it is a matter of seeing the value of HUMILITY, putting a premium on it personally, and again, seeing our rightful place before God. 

Remarkably, no matter what was said or done to Jesus, he was unbelievably humble.   Again, what an upside-down economy from ours!  Whoever is the least among us will be the greatest⁴ . . . huh?

We cannot underestimate the impact of cultural values pressing in about us at all times--trying to shape us . . . trying to mold us.  Whereas, Paul warned us, ‘do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed …’⁵, or as the Philips translation states, ‘do not let the world squeeze you into its mold’!  

We remember that Jesus told the arrogant Pharisees, who had a puffed-up, improper view of self, that the greatest commandment was 'to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, strength... and love our neighbor as ourselves.^'6 Paul elaborates on this when he says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."⁷

Again, the common dictionary definition says pride is: a sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.  Where do we get proper dignity?  It is the realization we are nothing, and we have nothing, but by the grace of our Creator.  Did you choose your height?  Did you choose your family of origin or place of birth, realizing most of us were born in freedom?  'O, no you di’nt, child!' 

You are a person of worth because you are loved by God, extended his grace, and invited into relationship with him forever!  That is what gives you your worth; we have no basis for arrogant pride.  Instead, let us put others' needs and feelings above our own--let's move toward humility.

Humility . . . so much to think about, but first we must value it,

highly esteem it, and desire to be about it ourselves so that we will be teachable, quietly confident, patient, teachable, good listeners, courteous, forgiving, and known for giving others the benefit of the doubt.

Ah, humility . . . first, we need to recognize its value, and then we need to purpose to bring it back.

Christine