While people in the first century had a different culture than we have today, they were basically the same. They woke up after a night's sleep. They ate breakfast and went to work. If they traveled they either walked or used whatever means of transportation they had which mostly included horse, or camel. Of course while we "feed" our mode of transportation with gasoline or electricity theirs were fed with grass or whole grain.
In many ways even though our lives are different there are many similarities. We are human and our basic instincts are the same.
When the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:2, "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," it applied to them and it applies to us today.
Paul made it clear that love is the main intent and in this passage he added other elements. Today we look at love and humility.
Our modern view of humility is being open minded, non imposing, or modest. So what really is humility Paul speaks of? In the Koine Greek Paul used the word (transliterated) Tapeinophrosune and it meant to be modest and have a low opinion of yourself. For example we stand humbly before God. Early Christians we're being taught to treat each other with love and humility. It's interesting to note that the use of this concept would have been shocking in the Roman Empire. In that culture humility was not a virtue. They honored self-promotion. Does that sound familiar to modern society? It leads us to believe that our culture in the western world is a model to the Greco-Roman Empire.
Even in some Christian circles today humility is not a virtue to seek. We are however told to be loving and humble.
In my mind that needs clarification. Humble does not mean we are a doormat. It does not mean others have the right to exploit or abuse us. The catch here is love and humility. Love is the answer. Humility that is covered by God's love, having the power of the Spirit of God's love is a believer's secret weapon. We do not need to try to model humility in love by ourselves. We need to turn to God and ask for the power of the Spirit of God to give us humility with love.
When Jesus died on the cross, arose again, and sent the Spirit into the world we were given the same power through the Spirit.
So the obvious question on the table is... do we utilize that power?
Do we ask God to give us that power in our daily lives?
Are we utilizing the power of God's love and humility in our everyday lives. While the power is readily available (simply by asking) do we ask God Jesus by the Spirit to guide us in all our dealings?
It may take practice, but the power is readily available.
Through Jesus/God, Deborah
(For Spiritual Practice for the day see the Spiritual Practice section).
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