"And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Colossians 3:12

Last week we started to look into Colossians 3:12 and the characteristics that God's people are to express. These are also referred to as virtues and graces. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us they are 'The Fruit of The Spirit'. Let's continue to see, very briefly, what Scripture says of each one. As always, it is my hope that these short messages bring about a hunger to do a deeper search on our own. Spending (better yet, investing) time in the Word each day keeps our focused on God who has given us this new life in Christ which is the 'hope of glory' and on the Holy Spirit who guides us in the path laid down for each that we should walk in it.

We have looked briefly at compassion and kindness, now let us move on to humility. Since "..as He is so are we in this world." With this in mind let's look at Christ Jesus' humility.
He was free from all worldly pride:
Of appearance,
"...He has no form of comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him." Isaiah 53:2

Of worldly success:
"He was despised and rejected by men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him..." Isaiah 53:3

Of reputation:
"He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23 (A footnote in my NIV Study Bible says, "...In Jesus' day 'Nazarene' was virtually a synonym for 'despised') We also have John 1:45-46, "Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,'"
"And Nathanael said to him, 'Can any thing good come out of Nazareth?'"

Of riches:
"And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no where to lay His head." Matthew 8:20

Of rank:
"Is this not the carpenter's son?..." Matthew 13:55

Jesus in John 13 is a prime example of humility as He teaches the disciples.
(Read the whole scenario Vs. 1-17, I will only give a few verses.)
"(He) rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." Vs. 4-5 "And when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right for so I am. If then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.'" Vs. 12-15

As well as having the same attitude as Christ, Christians are exhorted to:
Put on humility as our opening verse tells us.

Be clothed with humility:
"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5

Walk with humility:
In Ephesians 4:1-2 the Apostle Paul says,
"...(I) entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one anther in love."

There is so much more in the Scriptures concerning humility and I challenge you to take the time to look at the lives of, Moses , David, Jeremiah, Paul to name a few. I will suggest Philippians 3:1-9 where Paul is giving the brethren a warning against confidence in the flesh. It is an example of his own humility. He goes on to exhort them to KNOW Christ. Vs. 10-16. He then gives another warning. A warning against living for the flesh.
Vs. 17-21.
Do a study of Philippians Chapter 3 and be enriched and blessed.

Lord we thank You that we are Yours! Thank You for hearts made ready to yield all to You, for everything is Yours alone. We honor You and give You all the glory! Amen