The Virtue of Humility!
By: Reverend J. Loren Russell
Philippians 2:5-8
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
John 13:16-17
Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Some other words for virtue are morality, honesty, righteousness, integrity, and goodness. When virtue is paired in the same sentence, or comes before the word humility, it acts as an adjective or modifier. Humility is the greatest virtue in the kingdom of God. From a Biblical perspective, to possess humility one must reject their sense of pride.
Our great example is found in Christ Himself who, the scripture tells us, did not think it “robbery to be equal with God.” A clarification of this phrase tells us that Jesus did not think His divinity or equality with God to be something He needed to hold on to. He was willing to give up all His divine privileges to put on a body of flesh. He humbled Himself and became human and a slave to the will of the Father. He voluntarily gave up everything so that He could save sinful humanity from the consequences of their every transgression.
Jesus’ earthly example was quite profound; He humbled Himself to the lowest position in the culture at that time when He knelt to wash His disciple’s feet, telling them that the servant is not greater than his master. He was their teacher, their master. They were instructed to do as He had done; humble themselves for the benefit of others. He was leading by example.
When we are marked with the virtue of humility, we willingly give up our need to cling to those things we deem important. We are willing to put our pride aside. There are several examples in the Bible of people who exhibited virtuous humility. One is Joseph, who knew he was not Jesus’ father, yet he was willing to give up his pride to marry a pregnant woman and raise the child as his own (Matthew 2:14). The Apostle Peter rejected the opinions of his fellow Jews, humbling himself to eat food forbidden to Jews at the command of Jesus (Acts 11:9). John the Baptist was not worthy to unlatch the buckle of Jesus’ sandals, yet he humbled himself and obediently baptized Emmanuel, God in the flesh (Mark 1:7-9).
A willingness to set pride aside and humbly follow the leading of Christ is the virtue of humility.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177)
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