When my youngest brother was five, he changed clothes often because he wanted to look like my dad. He’d watch Daddy enter a room, then he’d dart toward his own closet to find a way to match his hero.
If Daddy changed into khaki pants after work to tend his garden, Carson would toss his clothes down the laundry chute, change into khaki pants, and follow my dad outside. He didn’t even care about losing playtime.
Scripture instructs us to “put on” the same characteristics Jesus exemplified so that we look and sound like our heavenly Father.
Today we’ll look at a different part of the passage we considered last time as we endeavor to renew our hearts by imitating our Lord. In the last post, we focused on kindness and compassion. LINK: Renew Your Walk with God: A New Heart for Spring
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 ESV
This time we’ll consider humility.
Jesus, the perfect example of humility, conformed Himself to a virgin’s womb and came to live among men in human form. During His ministry, He stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples as an example of humble service (John 13:1-14).
Finally, with meekness and humility, Jesus submitted Himself to rejection and the extreme suffering of crucifixion because of His love for us. He even asked God to forgive His tormentors.
Although Paul listed his own impressive religious credentials, he too exemplified humility by suffering willingly for the cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10). Paul’s attitude led him to say,
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:17
Like me, you’ve probably observed people you deem humble. Joe, an associate pastor at our former church, wore suits on Sunday, taught Sunday school, and prayed during the service. At other times, I observed him wearing casual clothes while he packed the bus for youth trips, played ball with children on Wednesday nights, and even mopped the fellowship hall floor after a family event.
He could have avoided those mundane activities and assigned them to others. Instead, he exemplified a Christlike spirit and served God and his church. I often thought if Jesus visited our church in the flesh, He might be found working alongside Joe.
The garment of humility may feel stiff when we attempt to slip it on in some situations. Here are questions to help us check the fit:
- Do I listen more than I speak?
- Do I fight my way to the top of conversations?
- Do I enjoy being right when I’m around certain people?
- Do I avoid tasks I think are fine for others but not for me?
- Does my humility lead to expressions of gentleness, goodness, and patience?
- Do I appear humble in word and deed but reserve room for pride in my heart?
When our garment of humility needs alterations, we can confess our sin and ask God to transform our hearts to match His. The freshness of His Spirit will fill our souls with joy as we renew our walk with Him this spring.
When our garment of humility needs alterations, we can confess our sin and ask God to transform our hearts to match His. The freshness of His Spirit will fill our souls with joy as we renew our walk with Him this spring. Click To Tweet
Perhaps each morning we can glance into the mirror of Colossians 3:12-14* to ensure we act, look, and sound like our heavenly Father. That glimpse may send us to our closet (our prayer closet) to seek God’s help in putting on characteristics that match His.
Won’t you add a comment about examples of humility you’ve observed or something you’ve learned about this characteristic of Jesus?
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*Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. –Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
I considered myself a humble person, but when I learned that pride is the opposite of humility, I knew I had some work to do. This question convicted me: “Do I appear humble in word and deed but reserve room for pride in my heart?”
Working on altering that one for sure!
Candyce, I’m working on that one, too. I’m thankful God continues to mature us as we seek Him. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I have a friend in my church who is the most humble person I know. Gail is gentle and kind and quietly loves others. I want to be like her when I grow up! Thanks you for the wisdom you shared with us today. Blessings to you.
Gail’s characteristics sound admirable. Isn’t it comforting to know we are still “growing up” in Christ, and that He continues His work in us (Philippians 1:6)? Thanks so much for commenting.
This is a blessing, but also makes me stop and think. The questions got me.
The questions made me stop and think, too, Jimmie. I find that pride/lack of humility can slip in quickly. I’m thankful the Holy Spirit convicts us so that we can accept God’s forgiveness and continued transformation. Your comments mean so much.
Such an important lesson here Ms. Jeannie. Well said ma’am. Sadly, I and others, don’t remember to put that on far too often.
I think most of us are guilty of that, J. D. I’m thankful for the truth of Philippians 1:6 that God continues to work in our hearts. Thank you so much for reading and adding a comment.
Humility will require a life-long learning curve for me Jeannie. But I do love the scripture that says “God gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5/5b).” I yearn for His grace to influence my heart to overflowing so it can reflect out in my life. Great blog post!
It will be a life-long lesson for me, also, Dawn (Linton). What a perfect verse you included in your comments. It is comforting to know He forgives us and continues to mold us. I love the desire you shared: “I yearn for His grace to influence my heart to overflowing so it can reflect out in my life.” Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Thank you Jeannie for food for thought to grow on. Your examples in questions to evaluate our own humility illustrate what humility looks like – not passive but actively putting others ahead of ourselves.
“When our garment of our humility needs alterations, we can confess our sin and ask God to transform our hearts to match His.”
Wow! Love this!
❤️ What a wonderful Father we serve.
Thank you, Jeannie for these lovely words to help us put on humility of Jesus and to renew our walk with God this spring and always.
God Bless you, dear friend.
Thank you, Marilyn. Your description of humility being not passive, “but actively putting ourselves before others” is a good observation. I appreciate your comment.
I appreciate your comments, Dawn. I’m thankful God forgives us and continues to mold us in Christlikeness.
Beautiful message, Jeannie. Seeking and maintaining humility has been a quest all of my adult life. I’m better, but still struggle. It seems I do well most of the time and something sets me off and ugly pride rears its head. Thank you for inspiring me to keep on persevering, one day, one step, one moment, at a time
Katherine, I think many of us struggle with humility, including me. I like the way you encourage us to continue persevering “one day, one step, one moment at a time.”
I loved this story of your brother and its lessons of how we can put on the “garment of humility!” thank you, Jeannie!
Thank you, Kathy. I can still “see” him assessing my dad’s clothing and rushing in to change his own. I think keeping our eyes on Jesus and observing His characteristics in Scripture help us “put on” a spirit of humility. I appreciate your feedback so much.
I love the story of Ray watching your dad and following his example and Ray grew up to be such an amazing man of God, husband, father, and now grandfather. What a wonderful family heritage!
I still have a letter that our servant/leader, Joe, wrote to Ben when he was in the third grade. Ben came in third in a race at an RA camp and Joe sent him a card to congratulate him. Years later, Joe helped to coach Ben’s track team at FPD where Ben was the high score that helped to bring a state championship for his school every year. I often think of the impact of that note and that Ben had kept it in his desk since the third grader. (It is still in his room.) When Ben received a full scholarship to college in track and field, I often thought of the influence of Joe and his son, Chad, and his other coach, Chris. Sometimes the greatest act of humility is taking the time to show love to a child who is outside your family! What a blessing to love a child and to be loved by a child…. Jesus reprimanded those who pushed the children away. I think one of the greatest signs of humility is to love a child (or any person) with no other motivation than to love…. Thank you for sharing your post, Jeannie!
Jan, thank you for sharing that wonderful story which is a perfect example of a humble person blessing the life of someone else. I know you’re thankful Ben had such godly coaches. As you stated so well, we should look for opportunities to love children as Jesus does, even those outside of our own families. I appreciate your addition to the conversation.
This is a great reminder of who Jesus was and who we need to reflect in our lives. Great word, Jeannie.
Irene, your words remind us to look to Him and seek to “reflect Him in our lives.” That thought alone motivates us to seek humility as a daily garment. Thank you so much for adding value to the conversation.
I too need to check my garment of humility and do some hemming, especially when someone is on the opposite side of the fence on certain topics. Thank you for this reminder Jeanie!
Doreen, your comments remind all of us to “hem our garment of humility” when others share an opinion contrary to ours. That occasion could push us back toward pride if we don’t seek to please the Lord. Thank you for sharing a wise observation.
We all need to be reminded of what humility really is and that we should wear this garment always.
Right you are, Barbara. That’s true for me, as well. I’m thankful God forgives us and reminds us to “put on” His characteristics. Thank you for stopping by to share.
This garment at times gets stuck on my big head….Thanks Jeannie. Such a good reminder.
Sylvia, you’re so funny. Thank you for the light comment which also reminds us to examine our hearts and ask God to make us more like Jesus.
Thank you for the reminder to put on humility. Even when I try to tend the garden of my heart, pride can sneak back inside. When I put on the armor of God in the morning, I will also start to clothe myself with humility. Blessings.
Joanna, you’re right that pride can slip back in with stealth—for all of us. I’m glad you reminded us to protect our hearts with the spiritual armor. Thank
you so much for sharing your thoughts.
It is a hard garment to wear, and we must strive to keep it on always.
I agree, Nancy, that humility is a “hard garment to wear” because of our sin nature and the influence of the world. Yes, we must pray and seek God’s help to “put on” humility. Thank you, Nancy, for reading and commenting.
Jeannie, thank you for giving us something to consider and reflect on in our lives.
You’re welcome, Sandy. I think humility is something we need to evaluate often as we seek God’s work in our hearts. Thank you so much for your comments.