City Life Starter

I. The Word: Romans 12:3-5

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

II. Study Questions

1. What is the definition of humility according to Noah Webster?

2. How did Christ exemplify humility according to Philippians 2?

3. How do you get a modest estimate of your worth?  (Think in terms of the World vs. Christianity)

“Humility (Latin: Humilitas): In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one’s own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one’s own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.” (Noah Webster, Websters 1828)

In Christianity, one of the highest virtues (or the most important) in ethics is humility.  The reason for this is quite simple, that Jesus, the Son of God, King of kings and the Lord of lords left His heavenly throne “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) on behalf of the God’s divine plan.  In Philippians 2, Paul wrote:

“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.” (Philippians 2:5-8, NKJV)

In the previous verses, Paul began with “not be conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  This does not mean positive thinking or replacing one thought with a better thought, but rather possessing the mind of Christ (1 Corin. 2:16).  We do not go from replacing a single thought with another, but establishing God’s truth from the Word, especially on the finished work of Christ.  This is crucial for our faith and understanding what Paul is trying to tell his readers.  Humility, in the worldly standard may not be seen as the highest virtue, but we see Jesus, the Son of God, what He has done on the Cross, help us to understand what humility truly means (and why possessing the mind of Christ matters to believers).

How do we get a modest estimate of our worth?  It begins at the foot of the Cross.  At the foot of the Cross, we find the One who deserves our worship, laid down His life for us.  As Christians, our worth is not based on our accomplishment or title, whether you are rich or poor, have doctorate degree or no education, pastor of a mega church or recently saved, but our worth is found in Christ.  I have always believed, no one is greater than our Master, deserve more than others because our accomplishments, title, and possession, that if our Savior humbled Himself to be obedient to the Father, “obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross,” who are we to say “I deserve” or “I am worth more than others?”  When we go to the foot of the Cross, we discover our true worth, deserving of death and eternal separation but we are rescued by the mercy and grace God.  It is at the foot of the Cross, we find others who equally deserved death but have been saved by the grace of God.  This leads us to take our eyes off of ourselves and worship the One who died for us.  We must exemplify humility because we have been impacted by the One who exemplifies humility on our behalf, our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we understand our self-worth, grounded upon the humility of Christ, goes beyond ourselves for the betterment of the others.  Why?  Because it is those who fully grasp humility that understand the body, the church or even the organization can not fully function or reach its full potential unless every part of the body operates as it intended to be.  It is not about accomplishing what God has called me to do only for myself, but fulfilling what God has called me to do corporately in a body of Christ.  Ultimately, when we start operating as “we” instead of “me,” we can begin to reach for our full potential as a church.

Tomorrow’s devotional will discuss spiritual gifts, but what is the use of these gifts when it is not grounded in the humility of Christ and for the betterment of the body of Christ?  It is a vain attempt to do the work of God without knowing its true power or potential.  JY