2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The reference to “new” in this verse refers to being uniquely transformed in our hearts and minds by the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit, Disciples of Christ are called in preparation to be not merely guests at the wedding supper but His actual Bride (2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 19:6-7).
One of the main contrasts in becoming new in Christ, is the spiritual gulf between pride and humility or, in other words, the devil’s self-exaltation versus the mind of Christ. The god of this current self-absorbed age, Satan the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4), tried to presumptuously impose His will over the throne of God. His ill-fated initial coup is highlighted in Isaiah 14: “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High’” (verses 13-14).
What a contrast between this created being and Jesus Christ who “dwelt among us” (John 1:14) and submitted to His Father, stating, “…not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). He had also earlier proclaimed: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). In ultimate humility Jesus died that we might live forever with God.
In Philippians we are exhorted to, “Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped [tightly held onto]. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:3-8, Modern English Version)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, set us an example when He emptied Himself of His divine glory and power in becoming the Lamb of God. We must in turn strive to become “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), surrendering our lives completely. God’s Word warns us: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). It’s one thing to make a humble profession of being Jesus’ disciple, but it’s quite another step to consistently practice humility as a way of life. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
It is important to humbly come before God in prayer, praising God and thanking Him for His blessings. In Ephesians 1:1 the Apostle Paul introduces himself as an Apostle, but just as a statement of title and mission. It does not stem from pride, as biblical commentator William Barclay brings out. It is more an expression of amazement that God would use a man with such a past. Paul then goes on for 13 verses expressing his gratitude towards God for his calling. Note also that the prayer outline Jesus gave us in Matthew 6:9-13 also begins and ends with praise towards the Almighty.
We should also express our humility in our attitude to others, remembering that “There but for the grace of God go I.” It is God alone who calls us and gives us eyes to see and ears to hear (John 6:44; 1 Corinthians 2:9): “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Roman 3:23) and all of us will stumble along the way. How we approach people speaks volumes, revealing what is lodged in our hearts. God’s Word exhorts: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). We are exhorted in 1 Peter 5:5 to be ‘clothed with humility’ as we strive to follow Christ’s example of selflessness.
The good news is that God says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin…” (2 Chronicles 7:14). It has been said, “God has two thrones, one in the highest heavens, the other in the lowliest hearts.” Let us remain humble, giving all credit to God, to whom it belongs. In the words of 1 Corinthians 1:31, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
