People Of Humility

Ephesians 4:1-4

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:2)

IN SIXTEENTH- AND seventeenth-century England, seating in churches was often categorized for attendees in terms of their rank, age, property holdings, and gender. Where you sat depended on who you were. Pew disputes were not only a social phenomenon; they could become a legal one, too, as parishioners sometimes ended up in court over violations of “their space” at Sunday services. Somehow, the focus of the church service turned from the worship of God to a defense of personal status. For many, it was far less important to learn and pray than to be seen and respected.

Our desire for status today may manifest in subtler ways, but we are still prone to have it, and it can still affect our relationships with other people. Many Christians get offended much too easily. Whether the offense is justified isn’t the point; we are designed to be full of grace even (or especially) when grace, in keeping with its definition, is clearly undeserved. An offended Christian, as most of us have experienced in ourselves and others, is not a pretty picture—or a compelling portrayal of our faith. And being offended almost always comes out of an attack on our pride.

We are told quite often in Scripture to be people of humility. God is drawn to the humble and lifts them up (1 Peter 5:5-6). He blesses the poor in spirit and offers an enormous inheritance to the humble or meek (Matthew 5:3, 5). He urges us to think of others before ourselves, just as Jesus humbled himself in taking the form of a servant and suffering on our behalf (Philippians 2:3-11). Humility leads to gentleness, patience, and grace toward others’ faults, as Ephesians 4:2 suggests. It is one of our most appealing distinguishing marks.

If we have it, that is. If we don’t, we become as unpleasing as those who vied for pews in old churches or ignored the feelings and needs of others in order to serve themselves. Humility makes us like God, and pride makes us . . . well, not. Choose which you will be known for, and live it to the full.

{Jesus, you are the perfect example of human and divine humility—of infinite worth yet focused on others. Work that into my heart. May I become a pure reflection of your selflessness. Amen.