Humility

As a young child, I was brought up by my parents to respect elders. My Nigeria heritage; what my parents taught me, how I saw others in my communities and church behaved, all were reinforcements of good behavior. Is humility greeting the elderly, staying at the last row in a party, not talking at the same time an elder is speaking, giving preference to your parents, and even to your peers. These are all good behaviors to enforce a good character that is unfortunately being rapidly eroded in our society today. However, humility goes beyond having good character and has more deeper meaning. Humility starts with seeing ourselves as God sees us; I mean admitting oneself as sinner that need to repent and plead for forgiveness of sins. It is only then we can possess the true humility that comes from God. It is an attribute of God that no one outgrows. 

Humility is a powerful tool that every Christian should have. It takes the grace of God to have this virtue, one cannot be humble with one’s doing and strength. Humility doesn’t only open the doors of God’s blessings, it saves you from heartaches, and it’s a commandment from God. 1 Peter 5:6 says “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He will exalt you”. Ephesians 4:2 says “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”. Do you and I always find it difficult to forbear in love? 

1 Peter 5:5 says “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all with humility towards one another, for God opposes the proud but giveth grace to the humble”. We are implored as youths to be subject to the elders. Sometimes advise or suggestions given to us seems impractical but remember they are elders and have more experience than we do. Finally, Jesus the author and finisher of our faith humbled Himself even to death on Calvary and was given a name above all names.

Do you and I want success, honor and riches?  let’s us endeavor to always clothe ourselves with humility. God bless you.