The Smallest Things

In contrast to everything you hear about "self-esteem," the Bible has no flattering descriptions of man.  Some of the adjectives used to describe us in our sinful state are "dead" (Ephesians 2:1-3), "alienated and hostile in mind" (Colossians 1:21), and "corrupt...none who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:3).  The Genesis flood in Noah's day occurred because of man's sinfulness, for "'the intention of man’s heart is evil"' (Genesis 8:21).  According to the London Baptist Confession, every one of us is"...utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil" (see here).  Doesn't sound too promising, does it? Part of being humble is realizing our true position before God.  Without His mercy, this is what we are: dead in our evil-ness, and powerful to do anything about it.  We are, if you will, "bad to the bone."  Once we are saved through Christ, we become a new creation - but none of it is our doing.  As Paul asked the Corinthians, "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).  As Christians, everything we have we have received from God.  We did nothing to deserve our material pleasures, family and friends, talents and abilities, or even our salvation; all of it was freely given to us.  Paul's point is that, if we didn't earn it, we shouldn't be proud and conceited as if we are somehow worthy of it.  In Humility: True Greatness, author C.J. Mahaney quotes Carl Henry, a brilliant yet humble theologian.  Henry, when asked how he had remained humble for so long, answered, "How can anyone be arrogant when he stands beside the cross?" (Humility, p. 68).  It's a thought-provoking reminder.  How can we be proud when we reflect on what Christ has done for us?  We who were "dead in our transgressions" God made us "alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5).

The English Standard Version of the Bible has an intriguing translation of Romans 12:10b: "Outdo one another in showing honor."  While one aspect of humility involves our relationship with God, another branch guides our relationships with other people.  Paul encouraged the Romans to see who could give more honor to others.  Instead of being proud and wanting to receive the attention ourselves, Paul taught that we should see how much honor we can give instead of receive.  Paul himself was an example of humility.  He wrote to the Corinthians, "Do we not have the right...?...Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:4-5, 12).  Paul humbled himself by not demanding his rights, and instead chose to bless others.  Teaching by example, Paul showed that it's not about fairness or insisting on our rights; Christians should be humble by realizing that their first priority is glorifying and serving God - not seeking honor for ourselves.

It's hard to be humble.  Sometimes the hardest things are the smallest things - like not bragging about the part you played in winning the game, or insisting that you get to go first (because your sibling always gets to go first), or maybe showing off your abilities and talents.  As sinful humans, we will often feel the need to look for esteem from others.  But as Christians, we must remember that our priority is God's glory, not our esteem.  It's not easy, is it?  But the Bible is full of promises for those who are humble (see Proverbs 15:33, 22:4; James 4:10).  No, it's not easy, but it is worth it to honor God, know Him more, and be rewarded by Him.

"Thus says the LORD: 'Heaven is my throne,
   and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
   and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made,
   and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look:
   he who is humble and contrite in spirit
   and trembles at my word.'"

Isaiah 66:1-2