IMITATE HIS HUMILITY! (2) Philippians 2:1-11

Martin Luther said: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful of all and subject to all.” How can one be free and be a servant at the same time? That is the essence of Christianity.

Christ was the Kings of Kings and the Lord of Lords yet, he subjected Himself to all, including death on the cross: Phil. 2:1—11.

In Matthew 16:23-27, Jesus made a profound statement. What is self-denial? It is a way of coming to understand that we do not have to have our own way. Thomas A Kempis said: “Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want. It is to have no opinion of ourselves and to always think well and highly of others and that is great wisdom and perfection.” That was the attitude of Christ: 2 Cor. 8:9.

Christ emptied Himself for our sakes. He became the Son of Man so we can become the children of God. He came down so we can go up. He became poor so we can become rich; he became a servant so we can become heirs: Romans 8:14-17. He died so we can live forever. What humility! He made a sobering statement in John 6:70-71. This means we can be His followers yet devils at heart. How will I know? James 3:13-18 explains.

True spiritual leadership that impacts is found in becoming the servant of all. Power is discovered in submission. What did Christ do to become so powerful? Phil. 2:5-11 has the answer. He humbled Himself! He was born in a stable; laid in a manger; smuggled to Africa; did the meanest job as a carpenter from age 12 when His Dad died.

He walked on footed for 331/2 years. He never sat on a horse but on a borrowed donkey and a boat. Family members ridiculed him. He was condemned to death of a crime he never committed; he died as a criminal; he was buried in a borrowed tomb. What a humility?

But early Sunday morning, He rose from the dead, lifted His holy hands and proclaimed: “All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth.”

Real power is discovered in submission, Humility and in obedience. Thomas A Kempis said: “Put yourself always in the lowest place, and the highest shall be given you. The saints that are the highest in the sight of God are the least in the sight of men and in their own eyes.” Peter explains further: 1 Peter 2:21-23. He never answered back when insulted; never threatened but left his case in the hands of His Father.

Isaiah was right when he said, “Who will believe my story?” Isaiah 53:1-4. Isaiah admonishes us to look to the Rock as our example in humility: Isaiah 51:1. Learn from Him! Follow His footsteps! Jesus Christ made SEVEN steps down, and if we want to reign with Him, then we need to imitate His humility. For peace, blessing, honour and salvation, make seven steps down.

First, He submitted to the God-head: He said, “I am come to do your Will oh Lord,” Heb. 10:7, John 5:30. We must imitate Christ by yielding our bodies, minds and spirit for His purposes. We must imitate Him and have the same attitude. Aim at doing the will of God: Romans 12:1-2.

Second, He submitted to the Word of God: Matthew 4:4, 7, 10. We must imitate Christ by yielding to the Word of God, obey the Word of God and do the Will of God. If God said so, so be it! Are you doing what God said? Are you dressing His way? Are you eating what He prescribed? Are you returning your tithe? Do as He said!

Third, He submitted to His family: John 2:3-4, 7-8. At Cana, Jesus submitted to the request of His mother even though His time was not up. He did not embarrass His mother. We must imitate Christ by submitting to our parents and adults. Never embarrass your parents!

Fourth, He submitted to His neighbours who were regarded sinners. He went to the home of Zaccheaus. He went to the home of Mary Magdalene and allowed her to touch him. He went to the home of Simeon who defiled Mary Magdalene and led her into immoral life. He came to seek and to save the lost: Matthew 18:11. Apply to your life!

We must imitate Christ by having His eyes, seeing beyond the faults of others. We must mingle with people who are even below us in social status or age. We must perform acts of love and kindness. No task is too small and too trifling; for each act of love is an opportunity to live in submission: Romans 12:9-21. Apply to your own life!

Fifth, He submitted to the Church leaders when necessary. He loved His church and gave His life to the Church: Eph. 5:25. The church leaders said it was expedient for Him to die for the sake of the whole nation and he did. He had the power to refuse arrest and death, but he yielded. We must imitate Christ in submitting to church authorities even when it is unfair. We should not be branded as stubborn, selfish, disrespectful and uncooperative members: Rom. 13:7, 2 Cor. 8:23-24.

Sixth, He submitted to the broken and the despised. He identified Himself with the downtrodden like Matthew, a tax collector, the woman who was bleeding; the Samaritan woman at the well and even with a thief on the cross. True Christianity is to do that: James 1:27. We must live the life of the cross—the life of shame, simplicity, and submission.

Seven, He submitted to the world. John 3:16 is a cosmic concept. God loved us and gave Christ to us and Christ accepted to die for us. He hates our sins but loves us as beings. This is why He gave us the commission to go into all the world and preach the Three Angels’ Message: Rev. 14:6-12; Matthew 28:18-20.

Jesus therefore charged us to be the salt of the earth: Matthew 5:13. Salt is common, so must we. Salt is preservative and so must we. Salt sweetness and so must we. Salt kills germs and so must we help sinners to overcome their sinfulness. Salt heals and so must we heal the broken-hearted and never to add to the hurts of the sorrowful. However, salt never becomes like the item it mixes with. We should be in the world but not of the world: 1 Peter 5:6.

Are you humble? Are you willing to sacrifice your rights for the benefit of another? Do you respect others; their children; their spouses and what they have?

Humility is not being an introvert and it is not stupidity. Humility is exchanging your rights for the benefit of an undeserved person.

By Dr. Andrews L. Ewoo, Amsterdam, October 15, 2011.

Readers found this Ghana SDA Church webpage when they searched for: jesus humility, pastor ewoo, readings for the service of humility sda church, imitate Gods humility