3- True Christian living is displayed in humility

Paul explicitly expresses a desire for the believers in Rome and Philippi to be humble. He wants them to understand that believers should value others above themselves, not just because it seems like a kind way to relate to others, but because it’s how Jesus acted when he was on the earth. The Christ Hymn in Philippians 2.5–11 captures Jesus’ perfect example of humility beautifully. But humility is also displayed in our actions and relationships within the church.

In Romans 12.3–8, using the helpful image of the Church being like a body with different parts and functions, Paul reminds believers to value other people's gifts within the Church and challenges us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. We all have an essential role and nobody is more important than anyone else. He says something similar in Philippians 2 where he rules out believers having a sense of superiority over each other, teaching them to ‘do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit’ (verse 3).

I can’t help but wonder whether Paul’s particular insistence on humility was informed by his own dramatic encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). In that moment, when Jesus revealed himself to Paul, he was so greatly humbled and his perspective and understanding so changed that his life was completely transformed.

From ‘breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples’ and leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit and persecution of Christians, he became one of Jesus’ most passionate disciples, proclaiming the gospel without fear and enduring to the end despite the severe persecution he experienced. His whole outlook on life and his attitude towards others changed. A new humility was one of the biggest signs.

Our challenge today as Christians

Humility was a huge part of Paul’s teaching and it’s something so rarely valued and displayed in our culture today. What a challenge it is for us to live sacrificially, standing out from secular society and conducting ourselves with radical humility that doesn’t glorify us, but glorifies God instead. Paul’s teaching isn’t easy or comfortable, but when we listen and hold firmly to it we have a framework for how to become more Christlike.

If you want to dig deeper into Philippians, why not check out The Rooted Podcast? Subscribe wherever you listen and also check out our last series on the Sermon on the Mount.

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Learning humility from Jesus in the Christ hymn

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