God Is Glorified through Humility
You probably already understand that our humility brings God glory. That makes perfect sense when we realize our place as created and beloved beings who are dependent upon Him for our very breath. A humble person will naturally bring glory to God because humility acknowledges God’s sovereign power, as well as His perfect love, demonstrated to undeserving sinners.
But this glory given to the humble goes much deeper than we humans simply recognizing our place in this world. Have you considered that humility is one of the descriptions of love? God is love, and therefore God exhibits humility. Humility caused the Father to condescend to lowly humans, desiring to make His dwelling place with us. God demonstrated humility by choosing sinful humans to be called His sons and daughters. God demonstrated humility by talking to Moses as a man speaks with a friend, by revealing Himself in ways that could be understood by mankind, and by planning the greatest rescue of all time before He had even created the world. Finally, Jesus Christ was glorified to the highest position of authority and power, not because of His awesome greatness, but because He humbled Himself to the lowest place out of love for you and me.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
We show our love for God and others when we follow Christ’s example of humility. God gives grace to the humble because the humble not only recognize their need, but they reflect Christ’s loving character that puts others before Himself.
Study It Out
- Read Matthew 20:17-28. How does this passage clearly show the distinction between the natural pride of humans versus the loving humility of Christ? How does knowing that these men ended up as faithful martyrs for Christ encourage us to come to Christ after falling repeatedly in the area of pride?
- Read Luke 12: 35-40. Notice the actions of the master of the house toward those who were faithful. How does this compare to our Master and Father’s humble, loving care for us?
- What does God promise to those who come to Him in humility according to 1 Peter 5:5-7 and James 4:6-10?