December 9, 2023 -- Philippians 2:3-4 -- Humility the twin virtue of Meekness

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Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

Self-esteem. That term is not in the Bible. Go ahead. Google it. If you run a search for self-esteem you’ll find articles like: “10 reasons why self-esteem is so important” or “9 types of self-esteem”. It is hooey. It is the fabrication of the world. The 2023 Salvation Army kettle campaign advertisements end with the line that goes something like this “give to feel good”. They’ve tapped into the very worldly motive of self-esteem.

Humility is actually what our world needs. This is a character trait which the Bible tells is to be prized. It is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. When a believer’s eyes are fixed on Jesus he knows his inestimable worth. The Savior left the splendors of heaven, took on flesh, suffered, and died to be the one sacrifice Who reconciles man to God.

Humility makes the believer secure in his standing before God. What a glorious place that is. True humility, as it described in Philippians 2, then allows a man to look beyond himself. He is genuinely concerned about others. Specifically, he is concerned about their standing before God. A man filled with self-esteem may feel good about himself, but after he has died, have God throw him into hell. A man filled with godly humility will feel good about God and with proper proportion feel good about himself and in view of God’s love care for others. Such a man, after he dies, will remain in Christ, and spend eternity in the Presence of God.

Humility in Service

Mighty God,
I humble myself for faculties misused,
opportunities neglected, words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,
my broken resolutions, untrue service, my backsliding steps,
my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus’ blood,
and let no evil result from my fretful temper,
unseemly behavior, provoking pettiness,
If by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another,
do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation;
If I have turned coldly from need, misery, grief,
do not in just anger forsake me:
If I have withheld relief from penury and pain,
do not withhold thy gracious bounty from me.
If I have shunned those who have offended me,
keep open the door of thy heart to my need.
Fill me with an overflowing ocean of compassion,
the reign of love my motive, the law of love my rule.
O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful,
more humble,
Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness arising
from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,
my unimproved advantages,
Thy commands violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember that I
have reason to sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,
that faith may adhere to Him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself around Him more tightly,
that His spirit may pervade every fiber of my being.
Then send me out to make Him known to my fellow men.
(Valley of Vision, "Humility in Service")

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