The Christ hymn of Philippians (2:5 – 11) is perhaps my most favorite passage of the New Testament biblical text.

Is the primary point of the text humility, or exultation? Perhaps the main point of the text is a carry-over illustration from the previous passage, “to live is Christ, to die is gain”. Many seek exultation by grasping—but, Christ let go, emptied Himself, and took on the form of a servant, whereby He has been exulted to the highest place and given a name above every name.

To rise we must bow, to be exulted we must become humble, to be great we must serve, to live we must die. If we allow ourselves to have the attitude of Christ Jesus we will cease our vain grasping and let go.

m harris <

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Humility is a funny term in society today. The dictionary defines it as "the quality or condition of being humble." The synonyms of humility are: lowliness, meekness, submissiveness. These are all terms that are rarely used when describing a leader or a person of greatness. The battle of humility and pride is a war waged within us on a consistent basis. How hard is it for us to say we are wrong? How hard is it for us to obey orders from someone in a role of authority?

It's submissiveness that is an issue in our marriages and relationships, in our workplace, and most of all in our walk with Christ. Pridefulness is the reason we sometimes don't get past the superficial. To explore our admission of sin, our acceptance that we aren't perfect and our reliance on Christ is necessary for us to grow in our relationship with God. The greatest lessons learned are through humility. It's where great character shines.

Philipians 2:3 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." This is my struggle. Staying focused on the cause of Christ and not the cause of "self".

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Brokenness and humility are issues that God has been using in my life recently to bring me closer to Him. I've been a Christian since I was a small child and because of that I don't remember feeling "lost" or "broken". That has been a large obstacle in my Christian walk. After 25 years, God is really making it clear that my pride and self-sufficiency have kept me from an intimate walk with Him. Our culture and many Christians today are steeped in this "try harder, do it yourself" mentality and that is where I struggle on a daily basis. I am realizing how much I need to be broken and humble in order to be who God wants me to be. That is very clear to me during my quiet time when I am alone with God. However, I have a very difficult time maintaining that perspective and attitude as I go about dealing with all of the responsibilities and challenges of my daily life. I know that only God is worthy and able to be in control of my life but I don't know how to practically hand him control each minute and hour of the day. I think that what I would most like to hear in the sermon are practical suggestions and ideas on how to live in humility in the small and large tasks that fill our days. Also, I want to recommend a very good book for anyone interested in an eye-opening look into brokenness and humility. The book is called Embracing Brokenness: How God Refines Us Through Life's Disappointment and is written by Alan E.Nelson. It was recommended to me earlier this year by a friend who was also experiencing a time of breaking in her life. It is filled with great insights and powerful reminders about how God uses brokenness (and the resulting attitude of humility) to draw us closer to Him. One of these reminders that has really impacted me is the fact that in the Bible, "No one ever gets close to God without an overwhelming sense of impurity and frailty. In these unique moments, people become fully aware of what is not right in their lives...No one ever comes very close to God and remains proud." (p.37-3 May this be true in all of our lives.
--Karmen

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May I suggest that a contemporary definition of humility for believers could be "an unassuming confidence." I am confident of God's work in me and through me. This does not, therefore, call attention to me but to the one who is at work. It is no more my glory than it is glory for a medical instrument which is in the hand of the skilled surgeon. And since I am reminded by a collegue that shared the praise team ministry with me, "Charles, this isn't about you" (ouch), it really is immaterial whether the world and the various secular societies I operate in accept that definition. My God is sovereign and is not threatened by their dismissal of an unassuming confidence. When I am threatened, it is a reminder of my growth in grace yet to be realized.

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Lately, on the days when I recognize my total helplessness, I'm rewarded with something Angela Thomas calls "righteous confidence" which has nothing to do with self confidence. I can do the next thing life sends my way - not in my power, strength, or wisdom...but in His.

I wonder if the truest humility is found when we live knowing we are "right with" God because of who He is and what He did on the cross instead of "being right" in our doctrine, opinions, or political ideals - as important or right as they might be.

I love the fact that He's the help in my helplessness.

I remember what it was like being a teenager who had just discovered Christ ... humility was my response to His greatness...His power...and His love. Living humble was my new normal because I knew Jesus chose the cross and that while it was all about Him - He did it for me. My heart was full to overflowing with awe for Him, there wasn't room for pride or self-confidence.

I was truly awestruck by Jesus. If I knew the Lord wanted me to walk somewhere I went. If I believed He wanted me to witness, I spoke. I was unafraid. This fearlessness was misunderstood as pride. and caused some concern that I might be getting carried away.

After I'd been set straight and had much of my joy stolen, something awful entered my life. Resentment, pride, fear, and rebellion. I missed the sweet freedom and humility I experienced but didn't know how to get back to where I'd started with the Lord. I was wounded and in full-fledged protect mode for years. It wasn't until I learned the best rebuke is always given with heaping helpings of love and grace, I could let down my guard with God again. People determined to humble me nearly destroyed the joy of the Lord which was (and is again!) my strength.

God used His Word, the love of my husband, some special people at CEFC, some extremely difficult times, music, and writing to chisel away the hurt caused by harm, and the bitterness I allowed to take root. I'd become as hard as granite but in the hands of the Master Sculptor, a masterpiece is slowly taking shape...oh so slowly! The piece of art I'm becoming has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.

He didn't give up. He never stopped loving me - extravagantly. I'm back at home in His embrace. And I know...humility is a direct result of a life lived by a person in love with Jesus.

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