In the interest of transparency: This blog is about humility… not really one of my favorite things.  But when I listened to this teaching by Jen Toledo, it rocked my thinking and helped me better see the upside down thinking of the Kingdom of God.  Since the Kingdom of God is a favorite, then God’s keys to the Kingdom are my favorites too!

Jennifer Toledo is a co-pastor of Expression58 Church in LA.  I stumbled upon her teaching session 1 of a series on Kingdom Culture.¹  Since this topic is close to my heart, I eagerly listened and learned… a lot!  Then, session two came around and brought with it some “ouch moments” as I took a hard look at myself and my way of thinking at times.²  It was a timely teaching that facilitates my goal of being Unoffendable, which I wrote about here. The text Jen chose was Philippians 2.  She read it in 3 different versions; the Passion Translation brought incredible clarity to the challenge of humility.

“²So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy.

³ Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. ⁵ And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”

I’d encourage you to take the time to listen to Jennifer’s teaching Kingdom Culture-Humility as it simultaneously blessed me and challenged me.  Here are a few highlights:

• Kingdom of Heaven culture is based in humility. (Jesus carried all authority on earth, but still chose to submit Himself to His Father’s will daily.)
• Kingdom of Hell culture is based in pride. (Remember that satan guy?  He used to be an angel with authority until pride took over!)
• Upside Down Thinking: The way up in the Kingdom of God is to humble ourselves before Him.  James 4:6 “But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”tPt
• Humility values and protects relationship over winning a “discussion.”  (In other words, let go of the argument even if you are right!)
• Humility builds healthy relationships but pride destroys relationships.
• False humility is as detrimental as pride, both are self-focused.  Authentic humility understands the power and authority we have in Jesus, but lives a life submitted to the Father’s Will.
• Humility and pride are not character traits but rather choices that we make.

These are a few comparisons between pride & humility:

Wow! As I continued reading Philippians 2, what a beautiful example of humility was set by Jesus!  At any time He could have taken advantage of His equality with God.  He could have justified being entitled to Heavenly privileges because of Who He was, but He chose not to.  I want to be like Jesus… even in the difficult things.  Lord, help me embrace humility!

Live Loved!

¹Listen to session one of the Kingdom Culture Expression58 series here.

²Listen to session two of the Kingdom Culture Expression58 series here.

Please feel free to share or comment if this blog blessed you!