Is Humility the Best?

Colossians 3.12. You may know it.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Col 3.12

Have trouble memorising it? Here’s some help.

Catie.

Knits.

Harry.

Green.

Pyjamas.

This mnemonic does rely on remembering that Catie is spelled with a ‘c’. However, since my wife is called Cate, this isn’t a problem for me. I hope you find it helpful too.

Back to the verse, and what a verse it is!

Several years ago, whilst on a sabbatical, I found myself walking the Ridgeway with Colossians 3.12 running on repeat through my head. At the time, I was struck that there is no list of qualities that l embody less than these. So, I memorised and meditated, with the help of my quirky mnemonic. In the years since then, well, I still have a long long way to go, but I’m ever more aware of my need for humility, which I take to be a sign of growth.

JESUS’ SECRET 

What was Jesus’ secret? How was he able to respond to people without the giveaway defensiveness that so often strains my tone, blunts my spiritual sensitivity, and narrows my perspective? How did he manage to avoid that burning need to ensure that everyone understood his perspective, without seeming to feel that he’d been unfairly dismissed, disparaged, or disrespected? How did he constantly and consistently put self to the side in order to love the person in front of him? I’m sure there were many factors but surely one of the most prominent was Jesus’ humility. I don’t know if the apostle Paul specifically crafted this sentence so that humility comes in the middle of the list, but it seems to me very fitting that it does.

I find it helpful to picture humility as the keystone of a bridge, the piece in the middle that holds up all the other stones. When we are humble, then compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience become far more attainable. As we put self to the side, then we can focus more clearly on the other person, without our own egos getting in the way.

So, how do we accomplish this?

First, like all godly characteristics, we don’t develop them simply by reading about them in books (or even blog posts). If I want to build up my muscles, I have to put them under strain through exercise. Patience is only developed when it is sorely tested. We don’t need to pray for such situations, since they probably already exist. However, we should pray that the Lord will use them to develop these characteristics. 

But there’s something more fundamental.

For Jesus, humility didn’t require him to run himself down. He knew who he was, and he practised humility from a position of security in his true identity. We see this perhaps most clearly in the upper room, as he prepared to wash the feet of his disciples.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:3-5

Being sure of his identity, secure in his relationship with his Father, he was able to put self aside and perform this menial task, without being concerned about how others might view him. His grasp of his identity and calling freed him up to serve, as opposed to asserting himself to justify his position. Don’t we see the same thing at work in Colossians 3.12?

Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with . . .

Col 3.12

Our identity as God’s people, chosen and loved, and our calling as holy people, set apart for his service, frees us up too. When we’re confident in who we are, we’re able to put self aside and consider others more than we consider ourselves. If our egos get battered along the way, well, God doesn't think any less of us; the greatest privilege of our lives remains true and in place. We don't have to strive as we labour to push ourselves to the top of the heap.

GOD SEES ME 

When I grasp this, I understand that God sees me. I don’t have to jump up and down to get his attention or, crucially, anyone else’s for that matter. I can put self to the side because I understand God has not forgotten me. It will matter less to me if another person doesn’t seem to understand me, or is making unfair judgements.

My Father sees; he knows; he understands. My Father loves me. 

When I grasp this, humility flows naturally. I give up striving to fight my corner, and am more content to simply enjoy the grace and love of God.

HUMILITY APPLIED

Humility, when embedded deep in us, changes the way we interact with others. For myself, I’ve often struggled to apologise, partly because I find it embarrassing and I feel awkward doing it, but also because my pride rears its ugly head. Mr Self jumps up and tries to convince me that it wasn’t really my fault. Suddenly, I lack humility. However, there are times when my desire to grow in my relationship with God supersedes my pride. I begin to see myself as God sees me. I let go of my insecurities, my ego, and I remind myself that his love and grace are enough. That’s when it becomes easier to say sorry. I can’t lose anything by confessing my sin to another, because I have everything I need.

When humility settles into our hearts and our behaviours, the other beautiful attributes in Colossian 3.12, that rely on this keystone, will find a place in our lives, as though they’re given life by it.

I wonder what value you place on humility. I pray that you begin to see it as a life-giving attribute, that comes right from the heart of our God. It does not grow easily, though, without daily dependence on its source, the Lord Jesus. He has shown us the way, and by the Holy Spirit, he empowers us to follow in his footsteps.

May the Lord bless you as you follow him.