In our walk with Christ, there are many lessons of grace, mercy, and kindness that we need to learn, because these are central to the culture of God’s Kingdom. When we first surrender our lives to Jesus, we declare him Lord. This means that we are no longer in the driver’s seat. We hand over the keys—the whole car—to him. He leads. He teaches. He shows us the way to live in a way that pleases God. And this ‘way’ of Christ is the path to God’s heart. It unlocks doors to the more than abundant life that our precious Savior made available.
This is what all of us want and strive to achieve. We want to express the fullness of all that we are and are meant to be; not just existing but thriving in the abundant reality of Christ. Living in Jesus Christ is the only way to do this. In John 14:6 (NLT), he teaches this truth: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the way. Not only the beginning, but he’s the path that guides us toward purpose. His life in us breathes meaning into every moment.
We so often pursue unsatisfying versions of success because we’re trying to operate outside of his example and guidance. That won’t work. We should be so incredibly thankful that even when we’re going sideways without direction, he still invites us to a rooted, complete, and grace-filled life. Abiding in him, allowing his truth to govern our decisions, and renewing our thoughts to his mind, this is what it takes to make the shift from lack to abundance, from our limited strength to his unlimited power, and from arrogance to humility. It’s how we become who God has called us to be.
Why the shift?
We can easily slip into a mindset of arrogance and pride if we start thinking we can do life without God and His help. Proverbs 16:18 (MSG) warns us, “First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” Humility is the cure for this. It’s not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. It’s having a clear and honest understanding of who we are in light of who God is. The shift is necessary because it enables us to acknowledge that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God, and that we are entirely dependent on His grace. When we embrace humility, we open our hearts to love, kindness, and service—just like Jesus did.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT) gives us a beautiful picture of humility in action: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Humility isn’t just an internal attitude; it’s lived out in the way we treat others. When our heart posture is Christlike humility, we no longer feel the need to prove ourselves to others. We stop comparing ourselves to them, because we’re free to focus on loving and serving God and those around us.
Jesus Himself is the ultimate model of humility. In Matthew 11:29 (NLT), He says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus, the Son of God, didn’t come to be served but to serve, and his entire ministry was carried out this way. His humility is an invitation to follow His example. It’s about putting others before ourselves and really caring about their welfare over our own self-interest.
The Spiritual Power of Humility and Grace
Humility doesn’t just shift how we see ourselves—it realigns us with the heart of God. When we walk humbly, we become more teachable, more sensitive to His correction, and more tuned in to His voice. We stop striving to prove and start posturing ourselves to receive. Humility opens the door to grace because our attitude and behaviors finally stop blocking it.
James 4:6 (NLT) puts it plainly: “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” That verse hits different when you realize that God isn’t just watching your everyday get down—He’s responding to it. Pride puts up walls, but humility makes room. When we stop trying to elevate ourselves or fix everything on our own and fully surrender to His Will, we create space for real transformation. Remember, God’s grace flows where humility lives. And it’s in this space that our Heavenly Father does His deepest work.
Humility in Relationships
Arrogance and pride often show up most clearly in how we relate to other people. When we carry a sense of superiority, we become harder to reach—less likely to listen, forgive, or empathize. We get quick with judgment and slow with love. But humility shifts the atmosphere. It softens our posture and reminds us that we’re all standing on the same ground: in need of grace. Colossians 3:12–13 (NLT) says it like this: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
When we live this way—clothed in humility—it transforms our relationships. We stop seeing others through the lens of competition or comparison. Instead, we see them as fellow travelers on the same journey, just as dependent on God’s mercy as we are. Humility makes room for mutual respect, patience, and compassion. It teaches us to serve, to listen, and to love in ways that reflect the heart of Christ.
Humility isn’t weakness—it’s spiritual strength. It’s the kind of mind and heart that imitates Christ’s example, and we must demonstrate this childlike quality to live a saved life. Humility will keep our hearts soft, and this is very important to God. It also keeps our relationships healthy and our lives open to God’s grace. When we choose humility, we create space for God to work in us and through us, and this is a call that encompasses our entire journey in Christ. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Call to Christlike Humility”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.