Kingdom Humility
‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ Philippians 2:3-4
In Philippians 2, Paul says that if we have received anything from being united with Christ, whether it be encouragement, fellowship, love, tenderness or compassion, then we ought to imitate this in the lives of others. Remember the wineskins are us and we need to be fit for purpose. This means following Christ’s lead because He fulfilled His purpose on earth and leads us to fulfil ours.
Jesus did not take what God gave Him and hold on to it. He used it to serve others. Humility means ‘earthly or of the earth,’ as humans are. Jesus took on the appearance of man and the nature of a servant. He recognised his position as a human. He had a humble attitude and God exalted Him. Therefore, following Christ’s lead is to live a life of humility, allowing God to work in us and through us to the advancement of His plans.
In The Message translation it says, ‘Don’t push your way to the front. Put yourself aside and help others to get ahead.’ This seems to be the opposite of what we have been taught by the world and even well-meaning people like teachers and parents, who encourage us to be ambitious and aim high, to fight for our place in the world. It is considered admirable to be competitive. But if anything, let’s be competitive with ourselves- to be more like Christ than we were yesterday.
Kingdom behaviour and attitude makes little sense and looks foolish to the world but God made it His pleasure to reveal to us what really counts. ‘Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status… He set aside the privileges…’
How is this applicable to us? What is our attitude towards the things that give us status? The best laptop, company car, reserved parking space, office with a view. Jesus spoke of entitlement and self-honour, of expecting the best seat at the table. He taught instead that humility is what has value in God’s kingdom. He knew His value, identity and worth to God. Do we? God honours and promotes those who obey and humble themselves like little children and can therefore be trusted to give the honour and glory to Him and not themselves. This is the life of salvation, kingdom living before we live it out in heaven.
Although Jesus is the Superstar, we too can shine like stars when we are fit for purpose and being used by God. Paul gives two examples, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Timothy is described as one who genuinely has interest in welfare of others and Epaphroditus, as one who nearly died serving Christ. Both imitated Christ’s nature.
- Jesse Kaur
Inward Prayer: Father, give us the strength to stand before those who don’t understand, that we might show obedience to You and kingdom living to others.
Outward Prayer: Let us rejoice together for all we are able to achieve through Christ as His body. Let’s spur and cheer each other on as God, our great encourager does to us.
In Philippians 2, Paul says that if we have received anything from being united with Christ, whether it be encouragement, fellowship, love, tenderness or compassion, then we ought to imitate this in the lives of others. Remember the wineskins are us and we need to be fit for purpose. This means following Christ’s lead because He fulfilled His purpose on earth and leads us to fulfil ours.
Jesus did not take what God gave Him and hold on to it. He used it to serve others. Humility means ‘earthly or of the earth,’ as humans are. Jesus took on the appearance of man and the nature of a servant. He recognised his position as a human. He had a humble attitude and God exalted Him. Therefore, following Christ’s lead is to live a life of humility, allowing God to work in us and through us to the advancement of His plans.
In The Message translation it says, ‘Don’t push your way to the front. Put yourself aside and help others to get ahead.’ This seems to be the opposite of what we have been taught by the world and even well-meaning people like teachers and parents, who encourage us to be ambitious and aim high, to fight for our place in the world. It is considered admirable to be competitive. But if anything, let’s be competitive with ourselves- to be more like Christ than we were yesterday.
Kingdom behaviour and attitude makes little sense and looks foolish to the world but God made it His pleasure to reveal to us what really counts. ‘Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status… He set aside the privileges…’
How is this applicable to us? What is our attitude towards the things that give us status? The best laptop, company car, reserved parking space, office with a view. Jesus spoke of entitlement and self-honour, of expecting the best seat at the table. He taught instead that humility is what has value in God’s kingdom. He knew His value, identity and worth to God. Do we? God honours and promotes those who obey and humble themselves like little children and can therefore be trusted to give the honour and glory to Him and not themselves. This is the life of salvation, kingdom living before we live it out in heaven.
Although Jesus is the Superstar, we too can shine like stars when we are fit for purpose and being used by God. Paul gives two examples, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Timothy is described as one who genuinely has interest in welfare of others and Epaphroditus, as one who nearly died serving Christ. Both imitated Christ’s nature.
- Jesse Kaur
Inward Prayer: Father, give us the strength to stand before those who don’t understand, that we might show obedience to You and kingdom living to others.
Outward Prayer: Let us rejoice together for all we are able to achieve through Christ as His body. Let’s spur and cheer each other on as God, our great encourager does to us.
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