Imitate: Humility


Ephesians 5 calls us to imitate Christ, and once again here in Philippians 2, the first section is appropriately named, "imitating Christ's humility". Dictionary.com defines humility as "the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc." Synonyms found are lowliness, meekness, and submissiveness.

The opposite of humility is pride; boasting about oneself, putting yourself above everything else, but Paul here calls us to flip it around, to put others first. That doesn't necessarily mean to put yourself down, but to have the interest of others in mind. You may go on to ask "how exactly does one even do that?"

Look to Christ. He is always to perfect example, and in the chapter, Paul explains it perfectly. Christ made himself nothing, he came down to earth, not as a king, but as a helpless child, a servant. He put others' interests before him, and he followed God, to his death on the cross for us.

Let us learn or at least strive to have the same attitude and mindset as Jesus, putting others before ourselves. Are you able to swallow your pride and learn to see others before yourself? Its difficult because it goes against the norms of this world, but if you work at it, pray for it, you will be able to do the same.

verse of the day: Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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