Regardless of the cause, it is always the Holy Spirit who is at work in and through the Word being spoken into our lives. When I was a much younger man 1Peter 5:6 became very important to me, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God..." Humble yourself, that is powerful stuff. Other Scriptures that have stuck with me at various times are, Romans 8:1; 1Cor 9:19-22; Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 9:35-38; and many others.

For the past 5 or so years, one Scripture reading has held a special place in my heart and mind, one that I often think about, meditate on, and try to apply in my life. That Scripture is Philippians 2:1-13. In this chapter St. Paul tells us to have the same attitude in ourselves as was in Christ Jesus. In verses 1-4 he tells us, "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

Humility is a hallmark of Christ's ministry among us. It is a hallmark of the work of salvation he wrought on our behalf. In humility Christ - God of God, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father... humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross in the place of his enemies (Romans 5:10). St. Paul points us to Christ and calls us to a similar humility for the sake of Christ, his church, and the world, "with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." People are important. Other people are more important than me. Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself (say no to what you want) take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)

One of the hallmarks of Christ, that some so often hate, is humility that loves an enemy to the point of dying in their place. St. Paul and Matthew tell us that humility that loves like Jesus is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus. This challenges me. I want to follow Jesus, but too often, most often, I do not love like Jesus. I very often do not regard others as more important than myself. Most of the time I do not say no to what I want. In fact, I am very much like St. Paul when he said, "For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want." What then should we do? Do we give in to our base nature and practice our own form of self-righteousness? Do we despair of ever doing good and so stop trying? St. Paul also tells us, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Then in his struggle I like to picture him turning and looking toward heaven with eyes and heart uplifted he says, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" The next verse is one I mentioned earlier, Romans 8:1, "Therefore there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Praise God!!! I am free from performance, free from the Law, free from my sin and guilt because of the finished work of Christ Jesus! I am Baptized! I belong to Jesus and my sins are forgiven! Then, in the freedom of Christ, St. Paul can come to me and share that I am free in the Gospel to practice humility. I can practice putting others needs ahead of my own. I can practice saying no to what I want, picking up my cross and following Jesus. I fail, and when I fail I have the sure and certain hope that as I confess my sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I am free in the Gospel to serve others in humility without fear.

I am free to follow Jesus!!!