(Read Matthew 5)
One of my favorite ‘80s TV shows was The A-Team. Actor George Peppard played Lieutenant Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith, the leader of a small band of men from the 5th Special Forces Group. “I love it when a plan comes together” was his signature calling card. This very thing occurred to me while preparing today’s devotional. At first, I wasn’t sure of the topic. Then, I had a few ideas, and bomp bump bomp, bum bum bum… It hit me!
Several readings and events transpired that nudged me toward the topic of this week’s theme. While cutting the lawn, Tim Keller’s Sermon put the first seed in my head. Next were some “random” things that happened to some friends, and then this morning, Jesus’ message on the hill – better known as Sermon on the Mount cemented the deal.
I developed a strong urge to write about Humility and Boldness this week. There are many references to both themes in Genesis and Proverbs through all four Gospels, Acts, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, and James, among others. The Bible encourages believers to embody both boldness and humility. Boldness is often seen in confidently proclaiming the truth and standing firm in faith, while humility recognizes our dependence on God.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it
under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:5-6; 14-16
The hill where Jesus is traditionally believed to have preached the Sermon on the Beatitudes is called the Mount of Beatitudes. It is located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Tabgha in present-day Israel. In this transformational message, Jesus didn’t simply promise a state of happiness to the meek; blessedness has more to do with a state of well-being based on the approval of God. So, who are these meek people Jesus was talking about? Meekness isn’t a weakness. It’s a spiritual meekness, signifying people who exhibit humility, gentleness, and obedience to God.
Christian author and Pastor Paul Tripp wrote, “Humility is the soil in which this rich beautiful life of wisdom grows.” Humility invites self-examination. It’s the opposite of pride. In many of his writings, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to test themselves rather than compare themselves to others. Paul advises believers to foster a humble attitude and warns us against becoming conceited, provoking, and envying each other. If we see our real selves, we will find we have no basis to be full of ourselves.
In verses 14-16, Jesus shows us the occasions when we should be boastful. Light symbolizes guidance, truth, and the sight of God’s presence. A city on a hill cannot be hidden, nor should the light of a Christian’s faith. Our light must shine before others through good deeds, glorifying God. Notice that Jesus doesn’t tell us to be boastful of all our work; He tells us to let people see our light boldly shine on our good deeds in service of God.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:1-4
“Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature,” said South African Pastor Andrew Murray. He added, “…the eternal love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness and gentleness, to win and serve and save us.” Humility not only resembles the likeness of Jesus Christ; it brings us closer to Him. When we submit to others above ourselves, we know Christ better. People know what God looks like when they see the authentic selflessness of our love.
At a job I had many years ago, while my boss was away for a month, I supervised my entire department. I had only been at the company briefly, but management had enough confidence in me to run the ship. A few weeks later, a co-worker asked me how long I had been a Christian. I politely replied, “How do you know I’m a Christian?”
He said, “There is something about you. It’s your character; it’s how you are.” That has stuck with me for decades. It’s not as much about the things we do that show Christ in us as what we look like when we do them. How we do things matters. Grumbling while doing a favor is checking a box. It resembles inconvenience and ego more than love. It resembles our fallen nature more than Christ.
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
Proverbs 3:34
God hates pride. At its core, it is the destructive cornerstone of every family, community, or societal problem in human existence—the proud worship themselves. With pride, there is no fear of God, so there is no submission or obedience to God. Pride says, look at me, while humility says, look at you.
Several years ago, my sister-in-law was living with us due to a violent and toxic marriage. On a few occasions, her estranged husband would drive by and stalk our home. She was verbally abused and had been physically attacked. Even though our home was a safe space, I let my pride get in the way of her healing.
We had many conversations about God, Jesus, Church, and faith. I trumpeted the party line over and over again. I told her what I thought she should do and believe in. I talked and admonished, but I never stopped to listen. I didn’t see her condition and didn’t bother to hear with compassion. I was more concerned with winning the debate than bearing her burden. The boasting that came out was boldness about me, not my Savior or faith. It should have been a dialog, not a monolog.
Boasting in our faith should be anything but an ego trip. God’s word teaches us to be bold in our spirit-empowered convictions. We should be confident in our beliefs and not afraid to share them. Some of the quietest, shyest people I know are also the boldest for Christ.
In Christ, “we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith” to God our Father.
Ephesians 3:12
After my morning run today, I got cinnamon out of the pantry to season my oatmeal. Right before I sprinkled it on my cereal, I noticed it wasn’t cinnamon — it was oregano. Both spices are wonderful for their own purposes but shouldn’t be used simultaneously. Boasting and humility, in the Biblical sense, are not contradictory but complementary and very much related. While equally important, they should be used with discernment. There are times when humility is in order, when love, kindness, and the compassion of Jesus are required, and times when we must stand firm, boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. As Pastor Joby Martin said in his message about Galatians, “Is our confidence in ourselves or the cross?” Big, big difference.
Sitting in a waiting room for over an hour to get my blood drawn for a physical, I couldn’t escape a boisterous woman philibustering to the room. She told everyone about her problems, her life, and the power of magic. Politely, I nodded my head occasionally, trying not to engage. Then, she asked no one in particular, “Do you believe in the power of magic?” Silence.
So, I smiled at her and said respectfully, “I believe in Jesus Christ. Anything that happens is because of Him.” Jesus taught His followers to look and be like Him in His Sermon on the hillside. We are blessed when we seek righteousness and are blessed for our obedience to the Father. As His children, we’re told to let the light of our faith illuminate the world. Others will see the pierced darkness. True boldness in the Christian faith is grounded in our humble reliance on God. Boast with humility.
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Life Applications:
- Embrace Your Identity as Light. This identity shapes your actions, attitudes, and interactions with others.
- Let your life reflect the light of Christ. Spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, and in fellowship with other believers to keep your light strong.
- Be visible in your faith, and don’t hide it. Let others see your commitment to Christ through your words and actions. This doesn’t mean being showy or boastful but living authentically and openly as a Christian.