THE
CHRISTIAN VIRTUE OF HUMILITY Text: Matthew
18:1 – 4; 1 Peter 5:5 – 7
Introduction: Humility
is modest or unassuming in attitude and behaviour. It is feeling or showing
respect and deference to other people. In Bible Online, Sockman posited that “True
humility is intelligent self-respect that keeps us from thinking too highly or
too meanly of ourselves. It makes us mindful of the nobility God meant us to
have. Yet it makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what
we can be.” Humility is what will tell the world about our Christianity outside
love.
Development: The
disciples of Jesus came to Him and asked, "Who then is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?" This question may have arisen from the prediction
Jesus gave in Matt. 17:22, 23. To answer their question, Jesus called a small
child over to him. The disciples had become preoccupied with the organization
of an earthly kingdom and were seeking positions of advantage. Jesus used a
child to help His self-centred disciples get the point. The disciples needed to
become as little children. Jesus wanted them to change their attitude toward
greatness.
They were to have
servant attitudes (diaconate spirit), not being “childish” (arguing over petty
issues) but “childlike,” with humble and sincere hearts. God’s people are
called to humility and unconcern for social status. Unfortunately, that has
become one of the greatest problems of the church today. People want to prefix
something to their name. The desperate one will pay huge sums of money to the
church so they will be made knights or Ezinne. Some, on their own will begin to
prefix Evang. Some have even made themselves Pastors and Apostles.
Those who persist
in pride and “ladder climbing” for the sake of status in this world will never
get into the Kingdom of Heaven. By contrast, those who, in humility, realize
their need of a Saviour, accept Him, and move into the world to serve, not only
enter the Kingdom but will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. True humility
means to deny oneself, to accept a position of servant hood, and to completely
follow the Master. This informs the admonition of Peter on church relationship
in 1 Peter 5:5 – 7. He noted that all the believers had a responsibility in the
congregation to serve each other in humility. Humility means being able to put
others’ needs and desires ahead of one’s own (see Philippians 2:3-4).
Application:
Today,
our world in general and the church in particular are in dire need of this Christian
virtue of humility. We need men/women who will serve without asking for a
price. The Church needs people who will carry the virtue of humility to their
offices, neighbourhood, business premises, schools, etc. Humility should be
seen in our actions, reactions, responses, word, etc. We should be humble
enough to accept our mistakes, confess our sins and repent of them. It takes a
humble heart to repent of sins.
Conclusion:
Have
you ever thought of what the Church of God would look like if all of us had developed
the kind of servant hood or diaconate spirit found in Christ (Philippians 2:3 –
11)? The virtue of humility will help us to crucify self, put on compassionate
spirit and live out the life of Christ. It will make us less worldly and more
heavenly. Just like our collect for the day, we should ask God to humble us in every
aspect of our lives for that is what the world will see in us and acknowledge
that we are indeed Christ-like.
Let us pray
