I Love the Ministry and She Must as Well
Starting today, I’ll be launching the banner The Single: Holy and Happy. This is a collection of blogs about my reflections on the single life. I’ll be posting blogs under this banner every Monday. This blog is the first one (for this year) under the banner. Anyway…
If you still don’t know, I’m greatly considering going to full-time ministry. I love Jesus and I love His bride, the church. I desire to become a pastor. Actually, many people call me pastor. And every time they do, I don’t know how to respond. Should I be happy? Or nervous?
If I desire to be a pastor (and God willing He makes me one), then it is but right for me to look for a woman who desires to be pastor’s wife. I once reflected what could happen if I marry someone who desires to be one, and if I marry someone who doesn’t.
Let’s consider the latter first. Here are some of the things that could happen if I marry someone who doesn’t share the same passion as I do for full-time ministry (Please take note that I’m exaggerating to make a point):
• When I block a day to study the Word, she becomes jealous of my time, for she wants to have a date with me.
• When I decide to give away money to support a pastor, or a church, or a ministry, she begrudges over my decision, for that means she has to give up her shopping money as well.
• When I passionately discuss life, ministry, and theology with her, she just looks me in the eye and nods her head, even if she doesn’t understand.
• When I travel for speaking engagements or for a missions trip, she complains her exhaustion (Actually, she’s just complaining because her travel money has been spent).
• When I receive criticism from the church, within or without, she immediately breaks down, for she never thought that the life of a pastor’s wife would be that hard.
These could happen initially at best, or until we die at worst. It doesn’t mean that she doesn’t love the church or the ministry. It’s just that her level of passion isn’t as high as mine. This is a nightmare for a pastor (or for an aspiring one like me).
But when the woman desires to be a pastor’s wife and shares the same level of enthusiasm for the church as I do, these could happen:
• When I block a day to study the Word, she is willing to wait for the appointed time of our date, and will even intercede to God on my behalf, asking that He “open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of [His] law” (Psalm 119:18).
• When I decide to give away money to support a pastor, or a church, or a ministry, she is sad initially to give even her shopping money, but quickly realizes that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
• When I passionately discuss life, ministry, and theology with her, she converses with a high energy, and even “debates” with me to reverse any wrongful thinking and to sharpen my mind (God bless such wife!).
• When I travel for speaking engagements or for a missions trip, she experiences exhaustion but also fulfillment, because “beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15).
• When I receive criticism from the church, within or without, she remains steadfast for me, even struggling in prayer like Epaphras did, “that [I] may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12).
How beautiful it would be to marry such a woman. It only makes sense that since I love the ministry, she—the woman of my dreams (whoever she is)—must love it as well.
Professionals and the Church
I wrote three blogs on professionals and the church since last Friday. I compiled them here, so don’t forget to check them out. Enjoy reading!
1. Professionals, I Salute You
2. What Churches Can Do for Professionals
3. What Professionals Can Do for Churches
What Professionals Can Do for Churches
Last Monday, I posted the blog What Churches Can Do for Professionals. I suggested 3 things churches can do for their professionals. Churches can help them by teaching them to be excellent at work, reminding them of their reward from Jesus, and challenging them to be missional-minded in their offices. Now, it’s the other way around. I’ll be sharing what professionals can do for their churches.
Again, I’m not claiming expertise on this subject matter. But here are a few suggestions:
1. Serve in ministries that cater to professionals. Professionals are in the best position to serve their fellow professionals. They can help fellow professionals on their spiritual walk and even coach them in their careers, both in the professional and witnessing levels. There’s a megaton of lessons and experiences from these professionals, including how to be a salt and light in the workplace, and it need not be wasted.
2. Support your church financially. I don’t mean to ruin their budget. But I want them to consider giving financial support to their pastors, church staff, and missionaries. Some of them are being paid highly, or are already in managerial and executive roles. They have been blessed with a high (or increasing) salary so that they can be a blessing to others, especially to their churches. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and doing so is partnership in the Gospel (see Philippians 1:5).
3. Help your church establish presence in the workplace. Since they have access to their offices, they are in the best position to witness to unbelieving officemates, influence their superiors, and impact their organizations by establishing Bible study or fellowship groups, helping their churches penetrate to their workplace. In my church, there is an office ministry that caters to professionals. They are made up of laymen and women from different organizations, who are partnering with my church to establish a presence in their workplace.
What Churches Can Do for Professionals
In my blog Professionals, I Salute You, I expressed my deep admiration for professionals. Their ability to endure work for 8 hours, with all the stress and the discipline, deserves much respect. In this blog, I’d like to share what churches and ministries can do for their professionals.
Now, I’m not claiming that I am an expert in this field. So I’d appreciate if you send your comments and suggestions. Or if you are a professional and is ministering in the workplace, I’d also appreciate if you share your experience. (I also realized that I’m already a part of a ministry team that caters to young singles. Most of them are young urban professionals, or more known as yuppies. So it is absolutely vital that I come in touch of their needs, as well as what our ministry can do about it).
Let me suggest the following:
1. Teach them to work excellently. We want them to work not because their bosses’ eye is on them, or because they want to win the favor of their superiors, but with “sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord” (see Colossians 3:22; also NIV1984). More importantly, we want them to be excellent on whatever they do, working with all their heart, or working as if they are giving their lives on their work, “as for the Lord and not for men” (v.23). (See my blog Working With All Your Heart for a related discussion).
2. Encourage them that the Lord Jesus will reward them. Now, not all of them are properly compensated. They may be giving so much (of course, working excellently) for their companies, but receive little in return. Some are even experiencing unreasonable bosses. But they shall be comforted by this truth: That “the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward” (v.24). Someday, they will be rewarded by the Lord Jesus, whom they ultimately serve (v.24).
3. Exhort them to be missional-minded. The Bible commands every believer, including professionals, to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The corporate world is ripe for the harvest. Professionals must then learn to engage in evangelistic conversations with their co-workers, invite them to their churches, and even begin Bible study or fellowship groups in their companies. If they happen to have believing bosses, they can be strategic by collaborating with them and make workplace ministry a reality.
Singles, Surround Yourselves with Godly Men and Women
The years ahead of me are really exciting. I had just begun my journey on my young adult years, and time will come when I will court a woman (given that the Lord wants me to marry). I also can’t wait for my male friends to court a woman, and for my female friends to be courted by a man. So, it is now normal for me to hear from friends about their love lives.
Interestingly, I hear stories of my friends falling in love with an unbeliever. Mind you, these friends of mine are godly men and women, have served with me in the ministry, and have definitely heard countless messages on waiting for their perfect mate. Nevertheless, they are falling in love with an unbeliever. But why?
Let’s consider their backgrounds. These friends are either students or young professionals. Consequently, they spend numerous hours of time in school or in the office, surrounded by unbelieving classmates or officemates. Furthermore, due to busy schedules, they spend little time with believers.
That’s it! It’s not surprising that they fall in love with unbelievers. They are most of the time surrounded by them. So my counsel to them and to other singles? Surround yourself with godly men and women. They can at least make time to join fellowships and ministries where godly men and women abound.
So why do we—singles—want to surround ourselves with godly men and women? Second Timothy 2:22 says:
22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (Emphasis added)
The verse tells us to “flee the evil desires of youth” (NIV1984) and pursue God-honoring virtues. And with whom should we do this? “With those who call on the Lord from a pure heart”—with Godly men and women.
What Church Leaders Can Do
I believe that church leaders, particularly those of singles and youth ministries, can help. In her blog at Desiring God, Carolyn McCulley writes:
So to help unmarried adults meet and marry well, the church needs to be proactive about creating contexts for singles to meet each other and live out dating relationships in the context of community. What that looks like will depend on many factors specific to local communities, which is why church elders need to lead and shape this process.1
I agree with McCulley. Singles ministries must create the context, or the community, where single men and women would meet together, serve with one another, and hopefully find their life partners. In my church, these communities already exist, though I also believe that more communities should be formed given the church’s high population of singles (I hope I’m not being ignorant of other communities).
Youth ministries can also help. It will be helpful that as early as the teenage years, these communities are created. I’m glad to say that I already belong to circles, or communities, comprising of youth leaders who are of my age as I do and are journeying with me as a young adult. But of course, the youth must be guided by the leaders (for more on this, read my blog Guiding the Youth into Godly Friendships).
I long to see these communities, where single men and women would thrive together. Hopefully, it is in these communities where these men and women find their future spouses.
The Strategic Genius of the Small Group
This got me wondering.
Jesus, when He was still on Earth, had the mission to take the gospel to the world. In doing His ministry, he attracted huge crowds (a following) to Himself. To me, this mass consists of potential fishers-of-men. Jesus utilized this people for the advancement of the Gospel, didn’t he?
No, he didn’t. Instead, He gave Himself to a few men. He discipled twelve ordinary men, coming from a diverse background, and with different personalities. So what was He thinking? What are twelve disciples compared to a huge crowd? What can the twelve do in the advancement of the Gospel?
But “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are [God’s] ways higher than [our] ways and [His] thoughts than [our] thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). In His infinite wisdom, Jesus gave Himself to a few men and discipled them. And if you will read the book of Acts, these disciples will be the leaders of the early church, boldly proclaiming the Gospel message, making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Jesus focused His time and energy with only twelve men. But these twelve soon made even more disciples. I find it amazing. It is genius!
My Personal Experience
My church, Christ’s Commission Fellowship, has the mission “To make Christ-committed followers who will make Christ-committed followers.” This is primarily achieved through small group discipleship, with the Lord Jesus Christ serving as the Model. In line to my church’s mission and the Great Commission, I started handling my own small group back in 2008. The group consists of male college students, and by God’s grace I’m still discipling these young men.
Just recently, I realized that the model of our Lord Jesus is effective. I attest that giving my life to a few men is way better than focusing on a large crowd. Practically speaking, it saves me a lot of time, energy, and resources. With a focus on a smaller crowd, I can pursue a high-quality of disciple-making. (Don’t get me wrong. I’m not devaluing ministries that involve huge crowds, such as pulpit ministries. I simply believe that the small group has long-term effects, which I will elaborate later).
Some of my disciples, after quite some time of quality disciple-making, have also begun making disciples. And it’s also done through the small group.
Reflecting on my experience, I can say that the small group is strategic in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. I say strategic because it has long-term effects. By giving myself to a large crowd, I may be able to make disciples but may not be able to push them to make disciples. But focusing my time, energy, and resources to a small group, I can commit to a high quality of disciple-making, pushing them to make disciples. As my disciples make disciples through small groups, they can also commit to a high quality of disciple-making, also pushing their disciples to make disciples (and again, through the small group). And so on and so forth. This is the strategic genius of the small group.
My Challenge
Sure, there are many other ways the Great Commission can be fulfilled. But the model of Jesus gives us enough reason why the small group is effective. So I challenge you to prayerfully and wisely consider starting your own small group. It is strategic in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Bible Teachers, We Are Most Vulnerable to Hypocrisy. Beware.
Just yesterday, I remembered a sad event in my life from long ago. It was a time when, unconsciously, I was breeding a rotten character within me. I was eventually rebuked and I voluntarily took a rest from the ministry so I could reflect and prepare myself for the future. I had been teaching the Bible for a long time when this happened. Now, I say to myself, “What a hypocrite I was!”
It dawned on me that preachers, Bible study facilitators, seminar speakers, lecturers, authors, bloggers, small group leaders, and anyone else who teach the Scripture are most vulnerable to hypocrisy. In his excellent book The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul writes:
Ministers are noteworthy of their calling. All preachers are vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy. In fact, the more faithful preachers are to the Word of God in their preaching, the more liable they are to the charge of hypocrisy. Why? Because the more faithful people are to the Word of God, the higher the message is that they will preach. The higher the message, the further they will be from obeying it themselves.1
This is scary yet true. Preachers, and likewise Bible teachers, are “vulnerable to the charge of hypocrisy.” The more faithful we are to the Word of God, the higher the message we will teach, and the further we will be from obeying it.
So what should we do then? What should be done so that we will not go further from obeying the Word of God? I think of three practical applications:
1. Pray and ask for prayers. I realized that teaching the Bible is relatively easy compared to actually living it out. We will need God’s help if we want to apply the Scripture in our lives. We can start by humbling ourselves and pray for God’s guidance. Philippians 4:13 says:
13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
2. Practice what you preach and preach what you practice. Your eyebrows may be raised by the time you read the second imperative. But let’s leave it for now and focus on the first one.
Most of the time, we teach too much that we barely have time to apply what we teach. I suggest that we take some time to apply what we are teaching, or at least look for opportunities to apply them. James 1:22 tells us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Now, let’s go to the second imperative, “Preach what you practice.” Most of the times, we get too excited teaching on matters that are new to us or we have no experience with, that we forget about the matters the Lord had been teaching us or had been working in and through us. But let us not forget to teach these matters to people. Let us preach on the things we are already practicing.
3. Hold yourself accountable. Look for people who can check on whether you’ve been applying what you are teaching or not. And of course, humble yourself before them.
That being said, I now would like to grab this opportunity to ask for your prayers as I continue to devote myself to the ministry of teaching the Word. I need the Lord’s protection against hypocrisy and His guidance on applying what I teach.
It’s my prayer that all teachers of the Bible will not only be faithful in teaching the Word, but will also commit to live out what they’re teaching, guarding themselves against hypocrisy.
1R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 1998), 41.
The Joy of God’s People in Understanding God’s Word
One of my passions in life is to teach the Bible to people. Whether I do it in a small group, or on a pulpit, or through blogs, it always brings joy in me. I make sure that the people properly understand the Word of God (and that’s why I’m so committed to the exposition of the Word).
But why do I want people to properly understand the Word? Why am I so committed to teach the Word in an expository manner? I’ll show you my answer in Nehemiah 8, when Ezra was reading the Law:
8They [Ezra and others] read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. (Emphases added)
So “they gave the sense,” meaning, they clearly explained the Law, so that the people will understand. Now lets jump to verse 12:
12And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. (Emphases added)
Why were the people rejoicing? It’s because they understood the Word of God.
That’s it! What is at stake when we teach the Word is the joy of the people. And that joy only comes when they understood the Word.
So teacher, preacher, small group facilitators, bloggers, and to all who teach the Word of God, this is my exhortation: We must help the people understand the Word, for this understanding leads to their joy.
We don’t want to deprive people of their joy, right?
The Story of Two Criminals: An Evangelistic Conversation
I’m still figuring out how to share the gospel in such a way that it will only take a few minutes. I wanted to take time in sharing the gospel and make it clear to the person I’m sharing it with. However, taking the time is not possible at all times, especially when doing random evangelism.
So I thought of sharing the story of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. Since we live in a pre-dominantly Catholic society, we may find people who are already familiar with the story. Just yesterday, I tried sharing the story with some random students in my school. Although I would say that the conversations went well, I still want to improve and determine it’s effectiveness (I’m open to suggestions). Here’s how it goes:
The Bible tells us of two criminals who were crucified alongside Jesus:
39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-42)
What’s intriguing here is that the second criminal will join Jesus in Paradise. Again, he was a criminal. That’s why he was crucified at the first place. And crucifixion are for the worst of criminals. But looking back at the passage, we will notice the following:
1. He acknowledged that Jesus is God. He said to the other criminal, “Do you not fear God.” This is crucial. Because Jesus is God, then it only means that He loves us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. He acknowledged that Jesus is innocent. He claimed that Jesus “had done nothing wrong.” In contrast to Jesus innocence, he acknowledged his sinfulness, saying that he was “under the same sentence of condemnation.” Furthermore, he said that he deserved it, for he is “receiving the due rewards of [his] deeds.” Likewise, every person has sinned (Romans 3:23) and deserves punishment (Romans 6:23, Revelation 21:8). Every act of sin is a rebellion towards God (Psalm 51:4) and so we are in need of His forgiveness. Forgiveness is only possible because of Jesus’ innocence, because it is only through His innocence can we be made right before God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. He acknowledged that Jesus is king. He told Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Because Jesus is king, He deserved all the worship, honor, glory, and praise from us. He deserved our allegiance.
4. He acknowledged these things about Jesus by faith. Notice that he did not need to do anything in order to save himself (obviously, the cross did not permit him to do anything), but place his faith on Jesus. Likewise, we can only be saved by grace through faith, and not by any form of good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Again, he acknowledged that Jesus is God and that He loves him. He also acknowledge his sinfulness. But by the innocence of Jesus, he can be forgiven and be made right with God. He also acknowledged that He is king. And He believe these about Jesus by placing His faith on Him.
Now, if you would like to be assured of your eternity, then pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus. You are God and that You love me. I acknowledge my sinfulness, and that I have sinned against You and You only. But I thank You because by your innocence, by dying on the cross, I can be made right with God. So I accept Your forgiveness. I also acknowledge You as king. So I place my faith in Your hands, and I will follow you for the rest of my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
The Humility and Servanthood of Jesus
I spoke for Jzone Mandaluyong (formerly Jzone Pinoy) youth group last Friday on the topic of humility and servanthood of Jesus. The main passage is Mark 10:35-45.
This is a topic so dear to my heart. I’ve been battling pride for the longest time. I have to be reminded of humility and servanthood from time to time. And I’m privileged to be teaching these topics.
The Problem of Pride
Now, let’s first find out what the Bible says about pride. Here are some verses.
Pride is hated by the wise:
13The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13, emphasis added)Pride leads to disgrace:
2When pride comes, then comes disgrace… (Proverbs 11:2, emphasis added)Pride leads to destruction and fall:
18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18, emphasis added)Pride is sin:
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, emphasis added)Pride brings one low:
23One’s pride will bring him low… (Proverbs 29:23, emphasis added)Pride is evil and defiles a person:
21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. (Mark 7:21-23, emphasis added)Pride is of the world:
16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16, emphasis added).Pride is opposed by God:
6…”God opposes the proud… (James 4:6, emphasis added)
The Beauty of Humility
Now that we have seen what the Bible says about pride, let’s find out what the Bible teaches about humility. Here are some verses.
God leads and teaches the humble:
9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalm 25:9, emphases added)God lifts up the humble:
6The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:6, emphasis added)God gives favor to the humble:
34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. (Proverbs 3:34, emphasis added)Humility brings honor:
12Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12, emphasis added)Humility is rewarded with riches, honor, and life:
4The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4, emphasis added)The humble will be exalted:
12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12, emphasis added)We are called to put on humility:
12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12, emphasis added)5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5, emphasis added)
God gives grace to the humble:
6…”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6, emphasis added)
We now know what the Bible says about pride and humility. Remember this: Pride is overcome with humility; humility is greatly cultivated in servanthood. In the next portion, we shall learn about servanthood.
The Request of James and John
Now let’s turn to our main passage, Mark 10:35-45. And let’s determine how pride manifested through James and John.
35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
James and John were disciples of Jesus. Along with Peter, they belong to the inner three that were closest to Jesus.
The disciples, including the brothers, had a wrong conception of the Messianic kingdom. They thought that it will be an earthly and political kingdom that will free them from Rome’s oppression. That’s why the brothers, who probably used their proximity with their Master, wanted to be seated beside Jesus. They were proud. They were self-promoting.
38Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?
Jesus here was referring to suffering. Obviously, the brothers didn’t know what they’re asking. (But this is a prophetic statement from Jesus, for James died as a martyr [Acts 12:2] and John was forced to live in exile [Revelation 1:9]).
39And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
And when the brothers said they were able, they sounded like Peter. When Jesus told his disciples that they will fall away on his account (Matthew 26:31), Peter boasted, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (v.33). And when Jesus prophesied that he will deny Him three times, he again boasted, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” (v.35). He was over-confident. Likewise, the brothers were.
41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
The other ten disciples were offended by the request of the brothers. Why? It’s because the two were proud—self-promoting and over-confident. But this is what I think. The ten were offended because they themselves wanted to be seated beside Jesus as well. The pride of the two led to division and competition.
Before we move on, let’s sum up how pride manifested in the brothers. First, it manifested through self-promotion. Second, over-confidence. And lastly, division and competition. Are these manifested in your life?
The Call to Servanthood
42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
When Jesus saw the commotion among the disciples, Jesus rebuked them gently and began to teach that they must not be like the Gentiles. Gentile leaders wanted to be served by others.
43But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
But that is not the case for the disciples. They must be servants. The word servant (diakonos) means waiter, someone who serves food and drinks. Waiters in restaurants always serve the customers. The customer’s wish is the waiter’s command. Likewise, we must also be waiters, or servants, who aren’t served by everybody but serves everybody.
And we must not only be servants; we must be slaves as well. Slaves (doulos) are devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. They are owned and totally controlled by their masters. With this in mind, we should consider everybody our masters and serve them.
Are you a servant to the people around you?
The Example of Jesus
But how can we become servants and slaves to the people around us? It is by humility. One cannot serve others unless he humbles himself. And the best example of humility and servanthood is Jesus himself. Philippians 2:3-7 says:
3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
In humility, Jesus counted others more significant than Himself. In humility, Jesus looked unto the interests of others. In humility, Jesus did not count equality with God. In humility, Jesus made Himself nothing, became a servant, and took on humanity. And why all this humility? So that He can serve others!
45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus set the ultimate example of humility and servanthood. If He, the Son of God, came to serve rather than be served by others, and came to give his life to others, then we must do the same.
Again, remember this: Pride is overcome with humility; humility is greatly cultivated in servanthood.
A Personal Story
Before I end, let me recount a story of how pride manifested in my life. I never get tire telling this story again and again, as it reminds me to be humble and to serve others.
When I was in my fourth year of college, I had a subject which required me to be a part of a project team. We were 5 in the group, and I was the leader. Being the leader of the group, I tend to be pushy and over-directive. I wanted to, unfortunately and unconsciously, boss around. I’m the leader, right?
A few days before a submission of a project, I was surprised that three of my groupmates weren’t a part of my group anymore. Without my knowledge the three had talked to our professor about leaving the group, and the professor consented. So when I asked one of them why they left the group, she simply answered me, “You’re bossy!” I was shocked! Humbled, I asked for their forgiveness.
My pride caused me trouble. Instead of serving them, I wanted them to serve me. I learned my lesson.
It’s my prayer that you don’t commit the same mistake.
Questions
Are you struggling with pride in your life? How can you increase humility then?
When was the last time you served others? If it’s a long time ago, is it because, unconsciously, you wanted to be served by other? (Take a time to reflect).
What are concrete steps can you take to practice servanthood?
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