How Humility Impacts Non-Christians

There is something different and attractive about Christians who view themselves as number two and others as number one. What strikes you about many people is not their humility - it’s their conceit. Will Rogers made the statement, “I always like to hear a man talk about himself, because then I never hear anything but good.”

In Philippians 2, Paul addresses the unity that needs to exist among believers. But he makes it clear that the basis for unity is not a method, it’s a mindset. He exhorts, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit.” Selfish ambition and conceit typify a person whose desire is to promote himself. People with selfish ambition and conceit lose friends instead of making friends. What’s the cure? After describing the problem, Paul gives the preventative. He says, “But in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” In one word, the answer is humility. The kind of humility that considers others more important than yourself. In your mind, others are number one and you are number two.

How does that spirit of humility impact non-Christians? You must understand that some non-Christians already feel believers are conceited. Non-Christians sometimes say, “Christians act like they are related to God Himself.” Of course we do, because we are! Non-Christians sometimes say, “Christians have the audacity to think they are certain they are going to heaven.” Of course we do, because we are! But if accompanying that justifiable confidence we have a humility that focuses on them, not on ourselves, that presents a contrast to most others they meet. We are saying, “You matter to me.” There is something different and attractive about Christians who view themselves as number two and others as number one.

People who are contagious are not the ones who concentrate on building a statue to themselves, but on building a statue to others. Ask God to cause the importance of others to increase in your mind and your importance to decrease. Ask God to give you an opportunity today to tell somebody how important he or she is to you.

God Never Meant the Christian Life to be Lived on an Island

Ask the average individual, “What is your deepest misery?” Many would answer in one word - loneliness. On the human level, Christians have two words that answer the problem of loneliness - each other. Why do we need each other? One reason the Bible gives is so we can shoulder one another’s troubles and triumphs. After using the analogy of the human body and the phrase, “that the members should have the same care for one another,” Paul continues, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Such companionship is so real that as you are going through trouble, you don’t feel like you are going through it alone. And when you are honored, you feel somebody else is excited with you. The burden seems half the weight and the triumph is twice as exciting.

Non-Christians are attracted to that kind of togetherness. They recognize it as something they have missed out on. Loneliness has permeated their lives and try as they do, nothing fills the gaps. It’s no wonder that the book of Acts records an incident of believers so caring for one another during times of persecution that they sold their possessions and distributed to those in need. The end result was they were “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The believers understood a basic truth. God never meant the Christian life to be lived on an island.

When it comes to the body of Christ, the thought ought never be, “I can handle it myself,” but instead, “We can handle it together.” Ask God to use your gifts and abilities to contribute to the growth and unity of a local body of believers. Ask Him to show you ways this week that you can contribute to that spirit of togetherness.

“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

Trials Rightly Faced Make Us Better, Not Bitter

What impresses non-Christians immensely are those believers who are standing right side up when their world turns upside down - a rather severe health problem, a car accident, insufficient funds to meet unexpected bills, or a layoff at work. It is those times when we keep our chins up in spite of what is happening that causes others to say, “Whatever you’ve got, I need it.”

James is addressing people going through trials. These early believers had lost their possessions and been separated from their loved ones as they were scattered throughout Asia Minor during a time of persecution. They were tempted to get bitter and rebel against God and others. James is to the point. “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

Why joy? The reason is rather simple: “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Patience is an essential characteristic of Christlikeness. Without patience, we can never be mature and complete in terms of our spiritual growth. The only way patience can be produced is to go through trials. So James encourages them and writes, “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Trials rightly faced are harmless and are designed to make us better, not bitter.

People whose lives become contagious are not those who always have the right things happen to them, but those who have the right response when the wrong things happen. Take a moment and thank God for the hard moments you’ve experienced in life. If you’ve allowed bitterness of any kind to come into your life towards God or towards others, confess that to Him as sin and ask Him to forgive you.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

Non-Christians Have Cause to Listen to Someone Whose Pattern Follows His Preaching

Ask non-Christians to verbalize one of their complaints about believers and they will sometimes say, “Christians are hypocrites. They preach one thing, then practice another.” Sometimes such a complaint is unfounded. It is simply an excuse behind which the unbeliever is trying to hide. All too many times though, they do see those whose lips say one thing and whose lives say another.

Paul the apostle could have been referred to as a single-minded person. His daily focus was to be more Christlike and to attain maturity in Christ. Therefore, as an individual sincerely seeking to follow Christ, he could exhort others, “Brethren, join in following my example.” In so saying, Paul was not being conceited or playing the self-righteous game “I live better than you do.” Nor did he feel he had spiritually arrived where he needed to be.

Instead, he was simply expressing what everybody knew. In his earnest effort to become like Christ, he had so consistently lived that he could say, “Follow me, because I’m following Christ.” He recognized there are other believers who could echo the same invitation and adds, “And note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Timothy and Epaphroditus are undoubtedly two he had in mind. To follow those examples was to follow those who practiced consistent Christlike conduct - conduct not dictated by a set of human regulations but by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Imagine a non-Christian living next to Paul the apostle or an unbeliever he labored alongside of in secular work. What could anyone have pointed to that was not consistent with Christian character or conduct? Imagine, too, the opportunities and boldness Paul could have had because his life supported his lips. Non-Christians have cause to listen to someone whose pattern follows his preaching.

The question every believer ought to ask and answer as he lives and works around non-Christians is, “Is my life an attraction or distraction to Christ?” Ask God to show you any area of your life that is inconsistent with Christian testimony.

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Philippians 3:17