The key to greatness - Humility

In a world that often celebrates power, position, and prestige, we're challenged to consider a counterintuitive truth: true greatness is found in humility. This insight invites us to reexamine our understanding of what it means to be truly great in God's kingdom.

Imagine a group of friends arguing about who among them is the greatest. It seems childish, doesn't it? Yet, this very scenario played out among Jesus' disciples. They were caught up in a debate about who would hold the highest position in Jesus' coming kingdom. It's easy to shake our heads at their misguided ambition, but how often do we fall into similar patterns of thinking?

In response to this argument, Jesus does something unexpected. He calls a child to stand among them and declares, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

This statement turns our worldly understanding of greatness on its head. In society, children were considered to have no authority or honor. Yet Jesus uses a child as the ultimate example of the humility required for true greatness in God's kingdom.

But what exactly is humility? It's not thinking less of ourselves, nor is it thinking more highly of ourselves. Rather, humility is seeing ourselves truthfully before God, dependent on His grace rather than our own strength, and choosing to serve others rather than exalt ourselves. It's following the example of Christ, who humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross for our sake.

Walking in humility changes everything about how we view ourselves and others. When we're preoccupied with our own status and honor, we inevitably diminish our view of others. Pride elevates self and marginalizes others. Humility, on the other hand, allows us to see others through God's eyes – as valuable and worthy of love, regardless of their social status or perceived importance.

Consider this: If a person with a notorious reputation walked into your place of worship, how would you react? Would you recoil in judgment, or would you welcome them with open arms? Our response reveals much about the state of our hearts and whether we're truly walking in Christ-like humility.

Humility also profoundly impacts how we handle offenses and conflicts within our relationships, especially among fellow believers. Jesus provides clear guidance on this matter: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."

This straightforward instruction is often known but rarely practiced. Why? Perhaps because we dislike confrontation or we're too proud to initiate reconciliation. Yet, failing to address offenses is like leaving a wound untreated – it festers and spreads infection.

Jesus outlines a process for addressing conflicts:
1. Go to the person privately
2. If unsuccessful, bring one or two others as witnesses
3. If still unresolved, involve church leadership
4. As a last resort, treat them as you would someone outside the faith

The goal throughout this process is always restoration of relationship, not simply proving who's right or wrong. It requires humility to initiate such conversations, to listen openly, and to seek reconciliation.

Walking in humility also affects how we view temptation and sin in our lives. Jesus uses stark imagery to emphasize the seriousness of dealing with sin: "If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire."

While not meant to be taken literally, this vivid language underscores the drastic measures we should be willing to take to avoid sin. In our modern context, this might mean setting up accountability systems, removing sources of temptation, or making significant lifestyle changes. Such actions require humility – acknowledging our weaknesses and dependence on God's grace.

Ultimately, walking in humility is about recognizing our complete dependence on God. It's understanding that without Christ, we are capable of the same sins and failures we see in others. This realization should lead us to approach others with compassion and grace, rather than judgment and condemnation.

As we strive to cultivate humility in our lives, we must remember that it's not a one-time achievement but a daily choice. Each day presents opportunities to either exalt ourselves or humble ourselves before God and others. The path of humility may not always be easy or comfortable, but it leads to true greatness in God's kingdom.

Let's challenge ourselves to view others through the lens of humility, to care enough about our relationships to have difficult conversations when necessary, and to consistently depend on God's grace rather than our own strength. As we do, we'll find ourselves growing in Christlikeness and experiencing the true greatness that comes from walking humbly with our God.

In a world that often feels divided and hostile, imagine the impact we could have if we, as followers of Christ, consistently chose the path of humility. It has the power to heal relationships, bridge divides, and draw others to the transformative love of Christ. May we be known not for our pride or position, but for our humble hearts that reflect the servant-hearted love of our Savior.