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AUGUST 23
LOWLINESS OF MIND
“Let nothing be done through
strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than
themselves.” (Phil. 2:3)
Humility governed thoughts.
As Wuest gives for this
passage, “nothing motivated
by empty pride, but in
lowliness of mind consider
one another as excelling
themselves, this estimation
resting, not upon feelings
nor sentiment but upon a due
consideration of facts.” How
many thoughts have been
based upon feelings and
sentiment. Someone
introduces one to a friend,
and because of personal
sentiment they say all sorts
of words. Humility governed
thoughts will hold us to the
truth based upon facts, not
only concerning our
estimation of others, but
also of ourselves.
While we are not to think of
ourselves more highly than
we ought to think, neither
will there be thoughts of
pseudo-humility,
down-grading ourselves just
so that others will build us
up even higher than we might
have dared to exalt
ourselves. The facts of the
case are, “I am what I am by
the grace of God,” and
without His grace I am
nothing. When I realize that
in myself I am nothing, then
I van more readily consider
others as excelling myself.
Lowliness of mind is not
trying to lift someone else
up by our own
self-condemnation. One is
hardly flattered if they are
put first just based on our
own self-condemnation. Nor
is lowliness of mind based
on mere sentiment. People
gush and gurgle over a man’s
ministry, over his
personality, etc. because of
their sentiment, thoughts
prompted by feelings.
Jesus had like-mindedness,
He thought it not robbery to
be equal with God. But He
also had lowliness of mind,
and “made Himself of no
reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness
of men: and being found in
fashion as a man, He humbled
Himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death
of the cross.” (Phil.
2:7-8). He came to minister
– placing all creation in
the higher position of
honour, as being that to
which He ministered. “I am
among you as He that serveth.”
(Luke 22:27).
For ‘tis His mind to
lowly be,
A servant come, love’s
ministry
Ray Prinzing |
