"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8).

One of the most difficult challenges in Scripture is found in Paul's exhortation to adopt the same humble attitude as Christ, who before going to Calvary, "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). Just before this plea, Paul urged us to "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Our Lord was also very clear about the necessity of humility when He declared that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

The only way fallen man could ever begin to grasp genuine humility would be for God Himself to model it for us. So from His incarnation, to when "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death" (text verse), Christ exemplified humility for us perfectly and supernaturally.

We know that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6) and yet there is no sin that emerges more readily in our hearts than pride. So how do we combat this intrinsic sinful tendency? The Scriptures indicate that we must resist pride by resolving to adopt a humble disposition. In other words, without a determination to "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God" (I Peter 5:6), pride will inevitably find a way to express itself and do its damage.

However, before we can truly "be clothed with humility" (I Peter 5:5), we must first look "unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). It is only through our comprehension of His amazing sacrifice that we can begin to humble ourselves and be thankful that God "highly exalted Him" and gave Him a "name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9)! MDR