What Does it Mean to be a Humble Christian?
Webster’s definition of “humble”: “is having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance”. In addition, “humility” is defined as “the absence of pride or arrogance”.
“Stuart”, a character – with low self-esteem – on Saturday Night Live would look at himself in the mirror and repeat phrases to build himself up:” I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggonit, people like me.” We have an inborn desire for a sense of purpose and pride in ourselves. If we turn to a religion that keeps us constantly focused on our own sin and guilt, we never feel good enough, smart enough, or even loved.
To rephrase Stuart’s words, a humble Christian believes that “I’m not good enough nor smart enough in this world. But I know that Jesus loves me.” A humble man or woman is one who, through the Holy Spirit, realizes that they are a sinner, and no number of good deeds can erase their sins. Neither can anyone know all that our Omniscient God knows.
In Genesis 2, after God had created the world and mankind in His image, we read:
And the Lord God commanded the man, ’You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’ – Genesis 2:15-17
The freedom of working in that first garden had to be an amazing, awesome privilege and responsibility. Naming every animal, eating luscious fruit right off the fig tree and grapevine, all the while free to go wherever they wanted. But instead of what should have been a humble pride in the privilege of serving God turned into an arrogant pride when Eve and Adam listened to the Enemy to: be like God, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:1,4)
They no longer wanted to serve God but desired instead, to serve themselves.
In contrast, the Son of Man, Jesus, when tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread, to test the Father’s love for Him by throwing Himself down off a high mountain, or to take his power and dominate the world, Jesus’ response to the Enemy was: “Away from me, Satan. For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4) Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “...the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve.” Humility involves serving others and a humble Christian serves God beginning with asking the Father for direction in everything, as Jesus did.
Jesus’ “Parable of the Unmerciful Servant” (Matthew 18:21-35) is about a servant who owed a king what would be equal to millions of dollars in today’s economy. After begging for mercy, the king forgave the servant. But that forgiven servant went out from there and encountered a fellow servant who owed the forgiven servant what might be equivalent to a few dollars today.
This parable is about the great grace and mercy given to those (Christians) who believe and who claim for themselves that they too are forgiven a great debt of sin through the Gift of Salvation given in Jesus’ death on the Cross and resurrection. We are not good enough or smart enough, but a Holy God’s Love for us is enough, and we humbly return that love when we serve Him first. The ultimate freedom is to live with Him on Earth and for all eternity.
How does a humble Christian serve God in our day-to-day lives? By forgiving others as we have been forgiven.
The person who doesn’t think you are smart enough. That relative who never thought much of you. That friend who is not always good to you. The stranger who cut in front of you in line. The boss. The neighbor. Your son or daughter. Your mother or father...or even yourself. We live as humble Christians when we forgive others (equivalent to dollars in God’s economy) as God forgave us our sins (equivalent to billions of dollars) through His Son.
To be a humble Christian in all of life’s joys and trials, successes, and failures, or in life-or-death circumstances, we must humbly bow before our Father in Heaven, remembering each day that we are loved and forgiven. It’s not the Garden of Eden but it is a taste of Heaven when we live forgiven, forgiving, and in service to a loving Father.
Dear Father in Heaven,
We revere Your Name above all names. We thank you, Jesus, for your humble servant's heart.
On this day, guide us through the Spirit and the Word so that we are satisfied in You, alone. Please, Father, show us how to grow in Grace while keeping our eyes on Jesus as our Guide.
Take away our desire to be “good enough” in the eyes of the world; to be a follower who points to You, alone. Not to be “smart enough” but to gain wisdom that comes from spending time with You in Your Word. Not to seek the approval of others or for people to “like” us but to have people see the Love of You, Father, and consequently desire that love for themselves.
Remind us again today of the privilege of serving You. It is through the Power of the Holy Spirit and the Cross that we can boldly and humbly pray these words to You. Amen.
