Humility Comes Before Exaltation

By Edd Sterchi       Philippians 2:5-11 is a wonderful treatise on Jesus Christ. He came from heaven as God, but lived upon the earth as human. He lived a sinless life so that He could be our perfect sin offering. Verses 8 and 9 reveal something that we often miss concerning all of this: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (emphasis mine).     Since Jesus was our perfect example (Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21), it is important that we note this formula: Humility comes before exaltation. If we want God to exalt us, we must first humble ourselves before Him. To humble ourselves means to put God above every aspect of our lives, be obedient to His will, and fully trust in Him – just as Jesus did. If we do this, we are guaranteed exaltation.     “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)     “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)     “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6)

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/