Saturday, 4^th February 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: JESUS, OUR TRUE EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

THEME SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:5-11

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What is the difficulty when it comes to humility for you?
2. What can be the benefits for Christians to humble themselves?

In an earlier devotional, ‘the supremacy of Christian unity’ (Phil 2: 1-4), Paul highlighted like-mindedness and considering others’ interests more important than ourselves as key to Christian Unity. On the same trail, the Apostle mentions to us all to be humble, just as Christ did. In providing a guideline on how relationships among Christians should be, Paul calls on us to imitate Christ; having the same mindset as He had.

Here, Paul steps back to take a deeper dive into an outstanding divine moment to describe how Jesus, though being God took on the very nature of a servant and became a man. To think of what Jesus went through for mankind is very sobering.

As One that had the right to lay claim to His equality with God, He emptied himself of all those rights and privileges and took upon Himself the position of a servant (one who obeys without questioning a directive).

Jesus exhibited the highest form of humility by not only taking upon himself a servant position but by agreeing to die a most humiliating and shameful death on the cross. This is the mindset the Spirit, through the Apostle, wants us to have, that we rid ourselves of all our pride and the high view of ourselves in all relationships. It’s amazing how prideful we feel, even of the seemingly unworthy positions we have in society. This affects and destroys relationships – with our spouses, children, siblings, friends, work colleagues and even our church mates. The call to have this mindset is a very tall order, but that’s the standard our Savior has set for us. Come to think of it, we were mere humans with short lifespans in a volatile and uncertain world until God’s mercies found us and elevated us to divine sonship. We are not in any circumstance supposed to be prideful because of who we are or what we have. Rather, we are to recognize the graces and mercies of God for our lives at all times. Following the example of humility by Christ Jesus is the highest form of life.

Our theme scripture reveals that Christ’s humility brought Him an exaltation. He has been given a name that is higher than all else; at the mention of which every knee bows in heaven and on earth.

Beloved in Christ, whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Christ was glorified and the same shall be our blessing when we emulate His humility.

Beloved in the Lord, in our world today where everyone wants to unmake and push over the other, here, Christ calls us to have His mindset. You are not a fool if you choose to be humble. You become like Christ if you walk humbly. From today going forward, you are living above all motivations emanating from prestige, position and power. You are submitting yourself under the mighty hand of God. Hallelujah!

FURTHER READING – Numbers 12:3

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. In what ways are you practically going to emulate the spirit of Christ’s humility daily?

 

CONFESSION

I affirm this day that by the power of the Holy Spirit who works in me both to will and to do, as much as it rests on me I will be humble at all times to the glory and praise of Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Exodus 10; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; Romans 15; Romans 16