… and [be] humble.
Summary: Peter tells us to be humble. Paul tells us that humility is putting the interests of others first.
Think of all the things Peter has instructed us in so far.1 Only now does Peter add, “be humble.” How could a person do all these things and not be humble?
We can take pride in our obedience, in how holy we are, and in our dutiful submission to authority. If I do more for others than what I see others do, is there room for pride? If I consider myself more like-minded, more sympathetic, more compassionate than anyone I know, is that being prideful?
I think the answer is yes, we can do all these “good” things and not be humble about it.
The temptation to be proud of what we have done is always there, regardless of whether we are doing good, or harming others. As surprising as it seems, Peter needed to include an admonition to be humble.
Why? What does it mean to be humble?
Paul describes humility in this way:
“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.”
— Philippians 2: 3-4
Luke tells a story about a Roman centurion who needed Jesus’ help. In Jesus’ day, a centurion was an important person. He was a commander in the Roman army whose position demanded respect. This particular centurion loved God and supported the Jews in many ways and so the Jewish elders pleaded with Jesus on his behalf.
Jesus agreed to help and he and those with him were on their way when friends of the centurion met them with a message: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.”
— Luke 7: 6b-7a
The rest of the story is about the centurion’s faith, but this part is an amazing illustration of humility. Can you imagine having Jesus be only a few blocks away from arriving at your house and then sending him a message like the centurion did? That, in my opinion, is humility.
Application: Adopt the humble centurion’s attitude toward God and the rest of His creation.
Food for Thought: On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is being very humble like the centurion and 10 is being very proud, which number represents where you think God wants you to be? What would a Christian’s life be like if they lived with that level of humility?
- 1 • Footnote:
- You have been chosen (1:2)
- To be obedient to Jesus (1:2)
- To receive a new birth into a living hope (1:3)
- To love Jesus and believe in him (1:8).
- To receive the salvation of your soul (1:9)
- Be alert and fully sober (1:13)
- Be holy in all you do (1:17)
- Live in reverent fear (1:17)
- Purify yourself (1:22)
- Rid yourself of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander (2:1)
- Offer spiritual sacrifices (2:5)
- Abstain from sinful desires (2:11)
- Submit to human authority (2:13)
- Live as God’s slaves (2:16)
- Love the family of believers (2:17)
- Instruction for marriage (3:1-7)
- Finally, speaking about the church, the Body of Christ in verse 3:8, Peter says:
- Be like-minded
- Be sympathetic
- Be compassionate
Can you be humble yet proud of what a great Father, Son, and Holy Spirit you have in your life? Are you able to boast about knowing God and his word? Can’t I be proud of his love for me? Do those things glorify him and humble me?
Tim,
JEC’s comment below included this verse from Galatians 6:
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
So in that limited sense, Paul agrees with you.
Excellent point Tim. Paul taught us to boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1: 31; 2 Corinthians 10: 17 – 18). We boast in the Lord and let Him receive all glory and in the process, if we really do this with proper motive, we are humbled – He is exalted.
God loves a humble heart (Isaiah 57: 15; Psalm 34: 18; 51: 17; 138: 6). Jesus Himself was gentle and humble in heart (Matthew 11: 28 – 30). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4: 6; 1 Peter 5: 5).
I think this is very near and dear to His heart. He wants a humble people and we really can’t be humble enough. Pride is something that repels the Lord while humility draws Him near. My problem will never be that I am too humble. Pride however, is a real problem for me. Even when I appear humble I wonder how often it is a false humility. Only God knows. All glory really does belong to Him.
Thank you, Rich.
I appreciate your heart for our Lord and your example of living humility. The question about a Christian life lived in humility is a difficult one. We each face it every day.
Tim has “hit the nail on the head.” Galatians 6:14. In Jeff’s scoring example, Jesus is a 1 and Satan is a 10. Philippians 2, Isaiah 14:12-14 and Joshua 24:15.
JEC,
Thanks for “hammering home” that point! 🙂
I am continually amazed at how these speak to me right where I am at the moment. (I know some call it divine intervention but I like to call them Godincidences). I have recently had similar conversations with a couple of friends.
I used to be that person who wanted man’s acknowledgement of what I had done for others. Certainly not humble at all. It’s only when I began understanding what the verses meant about do not let one hand know what the other hand is doing. Let the praise come from Him because His praise is more valuable than that of man’s.
I believe Jesus wants us to be humble like the Centurion. After all, it’s about Him. It’s not about us. None of us deserve anything, but He chooses to bless us. We in turn are called to love others and He has given each and every one of us special gifts and talents to bless others with rather than keep them to ourselves.
My codependent ways used to get in the way of being humble and prideful, but now that I know the difference between doing things to seek man’s approval (and fill my emptiness of needing to feel valued or wanted) versus doing things to serve Him and bless others through the gifts He has blessed me with, life is better.
Darla,
I am so thankful that you are finding value in these posts. I like your word, “Godincidence.” That is a very valid concept. As I have learned more about God through his Word, I eventually came to realize for myself that there are no coincidences.
As to the rest of your comment, all I can think to say is Amen! 🙂
Tim and Darla’s words have covered this one very well. Thanks to both.
Proverbs 16:19, It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Romans 15:17, Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.
Galatians 6:14 But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Great verses! Thank you, Ron!
I would like to think I am close to a one,..in my prayers I tell God that I am not even worthy of praying to Him,..He is soo far above and beyond me but is right here with me,..amazing,..
If there is one thing being in business for myself has taught me is humility,..I have learned that the customer is always right,..I have gotten stronger because of that,..stronger in listening to the customer, stronger in patience with the customer, and stronger in sharing the gospel of Jesus with the customer,..sometimes the customer is stronger than I in the word of our Lord Jesus Christ,..and I believe time has a lot to do with that,..time in drawing closer, time in the Word, time in prayer, time loving others and so on,..
Everyone is different but He remains the same
Thank you, John.
That is an interesting example, about business actually teaching humility. But you are right. Arrogance makes for a hard sell, and an empty bank account.
Everything that I do that is good is because of allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me. He is really amazing and I’m happy to be His servant. I’m proud of my Lord.
Tim,
That is a great attitude! I am pretty sure that kind of attitude makes Jesus smile! 🙂
👍🏻