Clothe yourselves with Humility
Humility is a quality or characteristic ascribed to a person who is considered to be humble. Humility is the exact opposite of pride. Those who practice humility think more highly of others than they do of themselves (Phil. 2:3) and put the well-being of others ahead of their own well-being (Phil. 2:4). The Lord Jesus Christ taught others about the importance of humility and practiced it in His own life.
Humility is said to be the foundation of the spiritual edifice and inferior only to faith However, humility is considered the first virtue in as much as it removes the obstacles to faith. It removes pride and makes a man subject to and a fit recipient of grace; according to the words of St. James, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6).
“True humility“ is distinctly different from "false humility". "False humility" consists of deprecating one's own sanctity, gifts, talents, and accomplishments for the sake of receiving praise or adulation from others.
Humility comprises the following behaviors and attitudes.
Submission to God and legitimate authority;
Recognition of the virtues and talents that others possess, particularly those which surpass one's own, and giving due honor and, when required, obeisance;
Recognition of the limits of one's talents, ability, or authority; and, not reaching for that which is beyond one's grasp.
I. Jesus taught others about humility.
1. He taught His disciples to humble themselves as little children (Matthew 18:1-4).
2. He taught His disciples to be ministers and servants instead of kings and princes (Matthew 20:25-28).
3. He taught His disciples to be servants instead of masters (Matthew 23:10-12).
4. He taught His disciples to be servants of all to be first and greatest of all (Mark 9:33-35).
5. He taught His disciples to be least of all to be the greatest of all (Luke 9:46-48).
6. He taught His disciples to take the lowest position to reach the highest position (Luke 14:7-11).
7. He taught the religious but lost to be like the publican instead of like the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14).
II. Jesus practiced humility.
1. He took upon Himself the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7).
2. He was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7).
3. He was found in fashion as a man (Phil. 2:8).
4. He voluntarily became poor for the sake of God’s elect (2 Cor. 8:9).
5. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger (Luke 2:7).
6. He was raised in a poor family (Luke 2:22-24).
7. He grew up in the wicked place called Nazareth (John 1:46).
8. He had nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58).
9. He was a friend to publicans and sinners (Matthew 11:19).
10. He allowed Himself to be anointed by a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-39,44-48).
11. He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3-5, 12-17).
12. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).
13. He was buried in a borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:57-60).
The Lord Jesus Christ was no religious hypocrite. He always practiced what He preached and preached what He practiced. He was totally consistent in all of His ways. No legitimate fault could ever be found in Him. May His servants today become more and more like Him!
All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. 1 Peter 5:5
Peter writes "all of you clothe yourselves with humility… for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1Peter 5:5-7). Peter expressed four very important thoughts. And he combined them for a reason.
(1) "All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another."
Peter's ex-pression "clothe yourselves with humility" referred to a white scarf or apron typically worn by servants. Did you get that? We're called to be servants, not celebrities! "All" lets us know we all stand on an equal footing before the cross.
(2) "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Those who are self-centred find themselves at odds with God, while the humble enjoy His blessings.
(3) "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." The phrase "The mighty hand of God" is used in Scripture to symbolise two things: God's hand of discipline, and His hand of deliverance. And you need both. So submit to His discipline today and you'll experience His deliverance.
(4) "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
Peter addresses the core issue - worry… that if we don't look out for ourselves nobody else will. But if we really believe that God "cares for us," we needn't worry about serving our own interests. We can focus on the needs of others, confident that God will spare nothing when it comes to meeting our needs.
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”
“Humility is the secret of fellowship, and pride the secret of division.” |
