Monday 15 September 2008
- Bible Book:
- Philippians
"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Background
This passage is thought to be one of the earliest Christianhymns or poems. Paul quotes it in a letter to the newly formedChristian congregation at Philippi (in modern-day Macedonia). Itwas probably sent before any of the four Gospels were written down.Using the example given by Christ he encourages the Philippians tobe selfless and humble.
Jesus was God, in the same way as God the Father and God the HolySpirit. He had the 'right' to be worshipped and glorified here onearth. But he chose to set this aside to die in squalor and publicridicule, thrown out with the 'human trash'.
This is humility, says Paul, to forsake any idea of your 'rightful'status. Rather than focus on our rights in relationships withothers we can willingly set these aside in the cause of love.
This humility is not the same as being a doormat. It estimatesyourself less than others and is respectful of persons, but doesn'ttake on 'victimhood'.
It is absolutely committed to obedience to the 'small inner voice'- God's word of truth and love, and unafraid to act on it - despitethe consequences to self-interest.
Humility is obedience to God, and obedience is humility.
Not mine - but your will be done.
To Ponder
What are the differences for you between falsehumility and true humility?
Is there a danger in trying to be humble that wecan sometimes open ourselves to abuse by others? What could we doabout that?