Character
The Greatest Week in History: A Lesson in Humility
Pride is one of the ugliest things in the universe. It’s what led to the fall of Lucifer from heaven, and allied with the invective of murder, was the motive behind the Brussels massacre this week.
On the presidential election front, both front runners of the Democrat and Republican parties regularly demonstrate the attitude of pride in either name-calling childishness or not telling the truth.
Would you agree there’s an abundance of pride in our world today?
This Holy Week–the greatest week in history–let’s look the opposite direction for inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ and others that follow him. He never displayed arrogance, never acted nastily, or ever told a lie.
Let’s learn a lesson in humility.
I must confess that the Boehme family and even my ethnic heritage (German) is susceptible to the sin of pride. Early on I realized that pride was one of my “easily besetting sins” (Hebrews 12:2), and if I wanted to grow in God, I needed to let him expose and crucify it in my life.
To some extent, He has been victorious in that process of sanctification.
Still, I must constantly be on guard against pride rearing its ugly head. I have found that learning from and being filled with Jesus is my only hope of character salvation.
So this Easter week–the greatest week of all time–when Jesus Christ arrived in Jerusalem to die for the sins of mankind (for our corporate pride) and then rise from the dead (He is Risen!), it might be beneficial to take a crash course in one of the Godhead’s most incredible qualities.
Humility.
Here’s my take on how humility, meekness, or a humble heart shows itself in a human life.
Characteristics of Humility
A servant’s attitude
Because humility is a lowliness of heart and mind, it shows a willingness to serve and lift up others. Jesus said in Mark 10: 43-44: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Humility is the antithesis of narcissism. It always seeks to serve, not dominate.
A non-defensive or reactionary heart
Humble people are relaxed in who they are. Defensiveness is almost always a mark of pride showing a lack of relaxation in the truth. When Jesus was confronted by Pontius Pilate and Herod he didn’t defend himself. He didn’t have to. He knew who he was.
A quiet, teachable spirit
1 Peter 3: 4 tells us that real beauty “should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” When you have that type of heart, you are able to receive reproof: “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you” (Proverbs 9:8). Humble people are teachable and easy to be around. Remember the boy Jesus, anxious to learn from the teachers in the Temple?
Self-less interest and speech
Humble people don’t think about themselves, they put others first. We taught our young kids the rightness of J. O.Y. Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between (J.O.Y.) Humble people don’t talk about themselves because they don’t think about themselves. They are others-centered. Philippians 2: 3, 4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” That’s the attitude of Christ Jesus (2:5).
Submissiveness
A humble person sees their own short-comings and welcomes the strengths of others. Ephesians 5:21 tells us to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Having a submissive attitude toward other people is an incredible mark of strength. A humble person can relax on their “level” of authority knowing that “authority is given by God on the basis of humility” (Loren Cunningham).
Not interested in power
Humble people are not drawn to power–which is dangerous stuff. They desire to help and bless the lives of others–in fact, give up all power and lay their lives down for the sake of others (Philippians 2:5-11). Imagine what power Jesus gave up in heaven to be born in a dirty stable, live a peasant life, and be tortured and die via crucifixion. Humble folks love helping others–not pomp and circumstance that flatters the ego.
Love for people and interest in blessing them
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1-3 – “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” When we are humble, we will make people feel comfortable and safe–not flaunt them with our gifts or stare them down with our eyes. Humility looks up–not down.
Obedience
Jesus obeyed his Heavenly Father in everything out of a humble heart. Then he told his disciples,
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'” ( Luke 17:10). Humility always does what’s right. It is opposite of the spirit of anarchy or demanding rights. Humble people love to obey.
A thankful and grateful spirit
A humble person understands he or she is a sinner, deserves nothing, and deeply appreciates God’s grace. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages us to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Jesus never sinned, but his life was filled with thanksgiving and praise. That’s the constant attitude of the humble follower of His.
A tender conscience toward sin
It is understanding we have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory that humbles the heart and keeps it in a posture of hating and rejecting sin. David displays a humble conscience in Psalm 51 and declares that “the sacrifices of God (what He likes) is a broken and contrite spirit.” Great definition of humility. James Madison said that “Conscience is the most sacred of all property” because it keeps us humble and on track with God.
No desire for applause or publicity
William MacDonald reminds us that Jesus was “psychologically impervious to the popular prise of himself–it did not inflate him–and to negative criticism of himself–it did not deflate him.” He humbly knew what His Heavenly Father thought about at all times. When you’re focused on God, you don’t hear the blather. Humility deadens the ear to self and reputation.
Honesty and Transparency
Jesus told us humble people are willing to be known for who they really are. He said in Luke 18:13, “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” Pride covers up and erects walls. Humility allows in the sunlight with joy.
Courteous and respectful
Note all the rioting and ill manners that are common in our nation today. They reveal nothing but self-centered pride–not humble love. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says that real love “does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (Romans 13:1-7)” A mark of a humble person is great manners and personal self-control–perfectly seen in the life of Jesus Christ.
Child-like heart
The people of Jesus’ day (and ours) had it backwards. Adult-like cynicism is bad. Child-like sincerity is good. Jesus put a child on his lap and declared, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, 4). Humble folks who focus on God and others are not skeptics.
Natural and real
A humble person doesn’t try to be humble—they just are—from the heart. Humility, in its basic essence, is living in reality, not being more than you are, which is pride, or being less than you are, which is self pity. Both sides of the coin of self is pride. When we are humble, there is a naturalness to our attitudes and actions that encourages those around us.
Self-sacrifice
It was self-sacrificing humility that took Jesus Christ to Calvary some two thousand years ago. Humility not only prefers others, it is willing to lay down its life for them out of love.
I hope you get the point. Pride is full of self. Humility is full of God and other’s concerns. Our world desperately needs to learn from Holy Week that the way to change the world is not through power, pride, anger, and revolution.
It’s through a changed heart who learns from Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
This week we commemorate the greatest week in history. Happy Easter as you love and emulate the humble, servant King.
Right Revolt–Wrong Standard-Bearer
Pundits have been saying for months–some for years–that the driving force of the 2016 electorate is an unabashed and unleashed anger at the political establishment in the United States.
It’s especially aimed at Republicans elites. We’re told that anger fueled the rise of the Tea Party in 2010 which took over the House of Representatives. But nothing changed. Then a new wave of angst led to the toppling of the Senate in 2014.
But nothing again happened.
So Donald Trump is now riding this populist heat wave to the top of the Republican nominating process.
There’s only one problem.
It’s the right revolution but the wrong standard bearer.
I’d like to first say something about the “anger” thing which seems to be the word-du-jour at the present. In one of the most inspiring concession speeches I’ve ever heard by Florida Senator Mario Rubio, he also referred to this phenomenon:
“The politics of resentment against other people will not just leave us a fractured party. They’re going to leave us a fractured nation. They’re going to leave us as a nation where people literally hate each other because they have different political opinions.”
“American needs a vibrant conservative movement, but one that’s built on principles and on ideas, not on fear, not on anger, not on preying on people’s frustrations.”
We lost a great candidate in Marco Rubio. Watch his full speech and weep for our stupidity.
Now back to the anger problem.
There are a few of things I know about anger and most of them are bad. First, anger is an emotion that usually flairs up when you don’t think. It’s not for stable, thoughtful minds–just for loose cannons that like to spit out smoke.
Second, last time I checked, anger is a sin. It is usually a selfish response to something I don’t like. The Bible tells us quite clearly to not let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26, 27). In other words, deal with it daily and don’t let it poison your inner being.
Yes, I know there’s a place for righteous anger. But I only trust God to practice it perfectly with a right motivation. Most times I try to do it, I mess up the situation with bad attitudes and actions.
So anger is usually a destructive, immature force.
And we’re happy about it driving the American electorate?
We shouldn’t be. The better response to injustice and poor leadership is deep burden and positive action. I think of the response of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to the plight of blacks in the 1960s. That was a revolution worth emulating. Anger took a back seat to passionate impact.
If anger (sin) drives your voting, then you will pull the lever for angry (sinful) people. Which tells us why Donald Trump is riding the Republican wave.
I’ve already made the case that a back-slidden American nation, whose evangelicals seem to have left our shores (or their values), are looking for a king to rescue them. The Donald fits that description. He’s tall, tough and uncouth, and embodies the things that many Americans desire (wealth, supermodel wife, and entertainment fame).
He’s also extremely vulgar, childish, mean, unprincipled, and cunning. Street smart would be a good word with emphasis on the part next to the pavement.
A third of the Republican Party, including many Christians, are unthinkingly following an angry man. To understand how ridiculous this is, check out this two minute video by humorist Andrew Klavan.
It is right and necessary to rescue the Republic from the entrenched bureaucracy. But we’ve chosen the wrong standard-bearer and now only one good alternative is left.
Ted Cruz. Revolutionary. Man of faith. Principled. Courageous. Not an anger-induced barbarian.
Listen to the wisdom and warnings of an economist and a prophet.
Thomas Sowell
“There is a reason why polls repeatedly show Donald Trump producing the highest negative reactions of any candidate of either party. Yet the small hard core of Trump supporters seem oblivious to his antics, his recklessness and his all-consuming ego.”
“Some of these supporters may simply not be paying careful attention. But there have also been some very knowledgeable and intellectually talented people who have backed Trump. Sometimes it takes a high IQ to evade the obvious.”
“What does Trump offer his supporters that makes them so willing to overlook so much? He boldly articulates the resentment and anger they feel at having been betrayed by smug elites in general and the Republican establishment in particular.”
“Charismatic leaders who articulated the just grievances of the people have often risen to power on the basis of that talent alone. And those who put them in power have often paid a catastrophic price afterwards. That story was repeated in countries around the world in the 20th century.”
“Will that story be repeated in America in the 21st century?”
“The only candidate who has any real chance to stop Donald Trump at the ballot box is Ted Cruz. But the Republican elite, who have never liked Senator Cruz, may prefer to stop Trump with chicanery at the convention. That can cost Republicans the votes of Trump’s followers, putting Hillary Clinton in the White House — and the country on the ruinous road to a point of no return.”
Mario Murillo
“It is now or never for America. Embracing the reality of that statement is our major hope. Whatever we are going to do—we must do now. Don’t delude yourself into thinking we have more time. You deceive yourself at your own peril. Those who handle warnings carelessly, will almost certainly be fatalities in the maelstrom.”
“In the midst of these great horrors we are still a divided church. This is the most jaw dropping fact of all: U.S. Christians refuse to unify. Everything is at stake—how is this possible? What decadent arrogance allows Christian leaders to keep building empires? Why do they steadfastly refuse to join their brothers and sisters in the struggle to save the nation? How can they ignore the deafening air raid siren? What will they do if the church is driven underground and their little kingdoms are gone in an instant?”
“What has happened to America and the church is dreadful. But just as dreadful as these things are that is how wonderful it is to know that all God needs is a core. 1 Samuel 14: 6 says, ‘Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.’
“Martin Luther said, ‘One with God is a majority.’ Gideon proved this. When all of Israel was dulled by immorality, and failed to rally to the cause, God honed 300 men to save the nation. God seeks a core that will not hold back in prayer, action and sacrifice. He seeks you.”
“You and I can’t wait for the church to wake up. No pastor should stall revival in committee. No soldier of Jesus should look for the right amount of support or a consensus. There is nothing—and no one to wait for.”
“The anger you see in the election is not political…it is rooted in their spirits. They are sick to death of the lies of our culture. They feel outrage at the betrayal of our leaders. If we seize this moment—if we go full bore—if we abandon ourselves to outreach—we will see the greatest harvest in 40 years.”
These are voices of burden and intelligence.
Let’s stop being foolish and angry. Ted Cruz is a true statesman/outsider that could lead America into a time of desperately needed renewal. We must repent of both our anger and apathy and join a righteous revolution that would make our founders proud.
We don’t need a king.
We need a principled-leader who will point us to the King of kings.
Antonin Scalia: Supreme Human Being
I don’t know if the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia set off a flourish of revelation. Or if the primary battle in South Carolina is spawning new heights of political rhetoric.
But the week following Scalia’s death produced some great social commentary. I want to share some of those pieces with you.
But I especially want to pay tribute to the memory of Antonin Gregory “Nino” Scalia.
He was truly a supreme human being.
Before I get to the impactful life of Justice Scalia, I want to commend four articles that brimmed with insight this week. Please read them at your leisure:
- Global: “How Does the US Economy Compare with the World” by Nicholas Vardy.
- Politics: “Sanders and Trump: Magic Sells” by Charles Krauthammer.
- Economics: “The Lure of Socialism” by Thomas Sowell.
- Justice: “Why Antonin Scalia was a Jurist of Colossal Consequence” by George Will.
Now to Antonin Scalia.
Supreme Personality and Character
I have a few friends who knew Justice Scalia and greatly enjoyed his warmth, wit, musical gift (he loved to play the piano and lead others in singing), gregarious nature, delight in Italian food (he had lunch at the same DC Italian restaurant for forty years) and jovial personality.
Though polar opposites in legal worldview, Justice Scalia and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were “buddies” who enjoyed opera and taking vacations together with their spouses. Scalia also reached out to Justice Elena Kagan–a staunch secular progressive–and took her to shooting ranges for target practice (not at her!).
The rest of the DC political class should pay attention to such humility and comradery.
Supreme Faith and Family
Antonin Scalia was a devoted Catholic who loved His Lord and practiced his faith. He was married to his wife Maureen for fifty-five years, fathered nine children, and had over thirty grandchildren and great-grandchildren–all of whom adored him.
His son Jim was interviewed on television this week and shared how his dad deeply loved his family–and that what you saw in public of Antonin Scalia you also saw in private. His family legacy will be great.
Supreme Legal Brilliance
Justice Scalia taught us that the law matters. That the law is the written word–period. And that the written word takes its meaning from how history understands it–not what we wish it to mean.
He tirelessly taught that a “living” constitution (bad idea) is like an open marriage: that weakening the contract destroys the relationship it was meant to protect.
Thus, he championed constitutional originalism. Here are ten samples of his eloquence:
1. “What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you’d like it to mean?” (Remarks at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C., 2005.)
2. “There is nothing new in the realization that the Constitution sometimes insulates the criminality of a few in order to protect the privacy of us all.” (Majority opinion, Arizona v. Hicks, 1987.)
3. “God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools … and he has not been disappointed. … If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.” (Speech at Living the Catholic Faith conference, 2012.)
4. “If you think aficionados of a living Constitution want to bring you flexibility, think again. You think the death penalty is a good idea? Persuade your fellow citizens to adopt it. You want a right to abortion? Persuade your fellow citizens and enact it. That’s flexibility.” (Speech, Wilson Center, 2005.)
5. “A law can be both economic folly and constitutional.” (Concurring opinion, CTS Corp. v. Dynamics Corp of America, 1987.)
6. “If we’re picking people to draw out of their own conscience and experience a ‘new’ Constitution, we should not look principally for good lawyers. We should look to people who agree with us. When we are in that mode, you realize we have rendered the Constitution useless.” (Speech, Wilson Center, 2005.)
7. “It is one of the unhappy incidents of the federal system that a self-righteous Supreme Court, acting on its members’ personal view of what would make a ‘more perfect Union’ (a criterion only slightly more restrictive than a ‘more perfect world’) can impose its own favored social and economic dispositions nationwide.” (Dissent, United States v. Virginia, 1996.)
8. “Bear in mind that brains and learning, like muscle and physical skill, are articles of commerce. They are bought and sold. You can hire them by the year or by the hour. The only thing in the world not for sale is character.” (Commencement address, College of William and Mary, 1996.)
9. “We should start calling this law SCOTUS Care … [T]his Court’s two decisions on the Act will surely be remembered through the years … And the cases will publish forever the discouraging truth that the Supreme Court of the United States favors some laws over others, and is prepared to do whatever it takes to uphold and assist its favorites.”
10. “Every tin horn dictator in the world today, every president for life, has a Bill of Rights,” said Scalia, author of the 2012 book “Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts.” “That’s not what makes us free; if it did, you would rather live in Zimbabwe. But you wouldn’t want to live in most countries in the world that have a Bill of Rights. What has made us free is our Constitution. Think of the word ‘constitution;’ it means structure.”
Samuel Alito: “He was a towering figure who will be remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of the Supreme Court and a scholar who deeply influenced our legal culture. His intellect, learning, wit, and memorable writing will be sorely missed.”
Stephen G. Breyer: “Nino Scalia was a legal titan. He used his great energy, fine mind, and stylistic genius to further the rule of law as he saw it. He was a man of integrity and wit. … He loved his family. He also loved ideas, music, and the out of doors. He shared with us, his colleagues, his enthusiasms, his humor, his mental agility, his seriousness of purpose.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “From our years together at the D.C. Circuit, we were best buddies. We disagreed now and then, but when I wrote for the [Supreme] Court and received a Scalia dissent, the opinion ultimately released was notably better than my initial circulation. Justice Scalia nailed all the weak spots—the ‘applesauce’ and ‘argle bargle’—and gave me just what I needed to strengthen the majority opinion. … It was my great good fortune to have known him as working colleague and treasured friend.”
Elena Kagan: “His views on interpreting texts have changed the way all of us think and talk about the law. I admired Nino for his brilliance and erudition, his dedication and energy, and his peerless writing. And I treasured Nino’s friendship: I will always remember, and greatly miss, his warmth, charm, and generosity.”
Anthony Kennedy: “His insistence on demanding standards shaped the work of the court in its private discussions, its oral arguments, and its written opinions. … [The] foundations of Justice Scalia’s jurisprudence, the driving force in all his work, and his powerful personality were shaped by an unyielding commitment to the Constitution of the United States and to the highest ethical and moral standards.”
John G. Roberts Jr., chief justice: “He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served.”
Sonia Sotomayor: “My colleague Nino Scalia was devoted to his family, friends, our court, and our country. He left an indelible mark on our history. I will miss him and the dimming of his special light is a great loss for me.”
Clarence Thomas: “Justice Scalia was a good man; a wonderful husband who loved his wife and his family; a man of strong faith; a towering intellect; a legal giant; and a dear, dear friend. In every case, he gave it his all to get the broad principles and the small details right. … It is hard to imagine the court without my friend. I will miss him beyond all measure.”
Supreme Legacy
Looking at the three branches of the American government over the past fifty years, the greatest president of my lifetime is Ronald Reagan.
The greatest Supreme Court Justice is Antonin Scalia.
It’s harder to choose the greatest congressional leader because few in recent history have made a huge mark. The closest, in my opinion, is Ted Cruz whom Dr. James Dobson strongly endorsed this week.
If Ted Cruz isn’t elected president of the United States in 2016, then maybe the next president can nominate him or someone like him to take Scalia’s place.
That would make Nino (and all Constitution-loving Americans) supremely happy.