Philippians 2:8
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
In clear and strong language, Paul holds up the Servant as our model. We are to think the way Jesus thought when he relinquished all his rightful prerogatives as Deity in order to become one of us. He humbled himself, not to a kingly role — as great a condescension as that would have been — but to the role of a servant. And then, as a servant among men — men who actually owed him their all—he stooped to accept a criminal’s death (Phil. 2:1-8).
But who can deliberately choose to serve others, to treat others as superior to self, even when truthfully they are not (Rom. 12:10; Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2)? Who can deliberately and consistently choose the menial task all others avoid, forgive the arrogant offender, pick up after the careless destroyer, give to the ungrateful? Who, that is, would deliberately choose to consistently respond as a servant is expected to respond? Only one who loves deeply.
Love is a Great Antidote to Pride.
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor. 13:4-7, NASB)
1 Corinthians 13 is a perfect description of everything pride is not. Love, as an emotion strong enough to make one a servant, may not be self-produced. But one can choose to take a servant’s role whether or not he feels like it, and to this the love of Christ draws us. If we are not drawn, God in his love may bring into our lives that which will press us to our knees, aiding us to become humble even when we neglect or refuse to humble ourselves.
Suffering is God’s Gift to Produce a Meek Spirit. Paul often gloried in his infirmities. Why are so many of the Hebrew words for humble rooted in ideas of being crushed, bruised, broken, chastened, afflicted, subjugated? For stiff-necked, arrogant sons of men this is often the only way to a humble and contrite heart. One biblical term for gentleness has the root concept of taming a wild animal. Meekness in Scripture is not weakness but strength harnessed. Is not a great crushing of spirit often the only route to Christlike humility? Even Jesus learned obedience in the school of suffering (Heb. 5:8).
Without tenderness of spirit, the most intensely righteous, religious life is like the image of God without his beauty and attractiveness. It is possible to be very, very religious, and staunch, and persevering in all Christian duties, even to be a brave defender and preacher of holiness, to be mathematically orthodox, and blameless in outward life, and very zealous in good works, and yet to be greatly lacking in tenderness of spirit. . . . We often come across Christians who are bright and clever, and strong and righteous; in fact, a little too bright, and a little too clever . . . and there seems too much of self in their strength, and their righteousness is severe and critical. They have everything to make them saints, except the crushing weight of an unspeakable crucifixion, which would grind them into a supernatural tenderness and limitless charity for others. But if they are of the real elect, God has a winepress prepared for them, through which they will some day pass.
The ways to the great grace of humility, the means to conquer demon pride are to acknowledge reality, concentrate on God with gratitude and praise, trust him actively for the resources of life, assume the servant role, love deeply, and accept God’s loving chastening.
As we approach Christmas, consider humility. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) Conflict in your home? Consider love and humility. Disappointment? Consider others more important than yourself. Anger? Consider it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ. Love deeply for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).