by Emmanuel Selestine

For ages, we have seen rulers rise up, enjoying a place of authority and gaining riches as they oppress the people they should be serving. But as King Jesus knelt to wash the disciples’ feet, we see a different type of leader — a servant leader, one who would eventually lay His life down for His people. That is the only kind of leader fit for the kingdom of God. We see this in Jesus’ own words: “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11)

Paul instructs us as God’s elect to “put on . . . humility . . .” (Colossians 3:12). Humility, here and elsewhere, means “lowliness of mind.” It is an attitude of the heart. It is not merely an outward show but an inward cleansing of a heart full of pride and arrogance.

There are blessings attached to humility, which Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes. He says that those poor in spirit will gain the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). Being poor in spirit is recognizing spiritual bankruptcy. Only these will inherit eternal life. So humility isn’t just a good quality to have; it is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s a virtue that we should all strive to embody.

When we come to Christ as sinners, we must come in humility. We acknowledge that we are beggars with nothing to offer Him but our sins and our need for salvation. We live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20). As Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Though a great leader of the church, Paul humbly admitted before the church that he was no different from those he was calling to repentance. Lowering himself to their level allowed these people to hear him. Paul didn’t lord it over them, crying down to them, “Repent!” Rather, he cried out to his brothers in love. Being humble makes us usable to the Father because we have the right perspective of our fallen nature. Our only boasting is in Christ Jesus.   God has promised to give grace to the humble but resist the proud (1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34). Therefore, we must put away pride and confess that we need a Savior. If we exalt ourselves, we oppose God. If we humble ourselves, the rewards are great: an inheritance in the kingdom of God — now and forever.