Grace for the Humble

"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"
1 Peter 5:5

Have you ever met someone who is full of pride and arrogance? Have you ever met someone who seemed completely humble? There is a clear distinction between these two types of people. Some have learned to live a lifestyle of pride because it helps them get what they desire. But in the end, this pride will be the downfall of all those who indulge in it. On the other hand, the humble are rewarded because of their humility. But why? What is so important about being humble?
    We need only to look at the life of Jesus to understand humility and its value. He lived and walked out this virtue. When he left his place in heaven beside the Father, he did so, humbling himself before us. Even though we are so unworthy, so unthankful, so rebellious, he became one of us. He chose to serve us here on the earth and to die the death of a murderer. Even though he was pure and innocent, the sacrificed Lamb. His humility was a result of his love for us. Because he loved us so much, he was willing to give himself for us as a humble servant.
    So this is the heart of humility. It is not an attitude, or a virtue that one is born with. It is an expression of love. If we love God, we will be humble before him. If we love other people, we will be humble before them. One cannot possess humility without having love as the foundation. The scripture above admonishes us to clothe ourselves with humility. This means that it must completely cover our lives. It seems to me that humility radiates from a person who genuinely has a heart of love. In a world where pride is the norm, genuine humility shines like the sun.
    Humility is not a naturally occurring thing. We must press in to have it. For all the days of our lives, pride will attempt to overwhelm us. One of our lifelong goals should be to remain humble in the face of opposition that promotes pride. God responds to the humble. There is a connection because God himself is humble. He proved that through the incarnation of his Son. God expressed his love and grace through an act of humility. And we are called to live in this way. When we love God and people with a love that is only born in the Spirit, humility will follow. True servants are humble people. Humility marked the life of Christ, and it should mark ours as well.