He Humbled

Philippians 2:5-8

I need to start with a caveat that I probably should have included in Wednesday's post. If it seems like that post on pride or this one on humility makes me look like I've got it all together or that I don't struggle with pride, that is not my intent, nor is it true. I'm writing to myself this week, just as much as I'm writing to any of you.

The opposite of pride is humility or humbleness. Jesus uses the idea of meekness in Matthew 5:5. It means recognizing our place in the universe (i.e., very small). It means recognizing our dependence on God (complete). It means that, while our accomplishments seem great in our own eyes, we worship a God who created the universe (an infinitely greater accomplishment). James says that humility comes from wisdom (3:13). Other passages talk about God giving salvation and grace to the humble (Psalm 149:4 and James 4:6, respectively).

Perhaps the most exemplary model of humility is Jesus Himself. Philippians 2 reminds us how far the Son of God stooped to save us from sin. "Being in very nature God," Jesus was at the very highest height of the universe. Nothing that we can imagine was equal to Him. But, instead of taking pride in that, He "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." He refused to take pride in His position. Instead, He "made Himself nothing." He humbled Himself as far as He could and "became obedient to death, even death on a cross." In addition to the pain and horror, the cross was particularly humbling because it was a style of execution reserved for the lowest of the low criminals. Jesus went from the infinitely highest place in the universe to the absolute lowest.

Kind of brings everything into perspective in terms of our own pride, doesn't it? The antidote for pride is to remember what you'd be without God. In Him, you move and have your being (Acts 17:28). You would be less than nothing without Him.

It's great to get a promotion or land a major account. And it's fine to celebrate those accomplishments as gifts from God. Just remember where they come from. Remember that nothing is possible without your creator.