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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
16 • MODESTY IN ALL THINGS
ALL
that has been written on the new life so far rests on the
premise that as adopted sons and daughters of God we are called
upon to be "followers (R.V. imitators) of Him, as dear
children". Hence character, outlook, behaviour, dress
and actions have to be in keeping with this divine relationship
and our Father must never be ignored in our thinking or decisions
on these matters.
The comprehensive word that describes this balance of character
and conduct is modesty, which means: to have a humble estimate
of one's own merits, to preserve good taste, to be dignified
and proper in behaviour and morals.
Although this definition of the word modesty belongs to the
English dictionary, it is obvious that the characteristics
which it discloses were manifested by Jesus and have a great
deal in common with the fruits of the spirit. But the word
that Jesus and New Testament writers used to describe them
was humility which is another word for modesty.
It is tremendously important that, with the Father's help,
we strive so to discipline our natural inclinations that we
gradually become modest, or humble, in character and conduct,
because our spiritual well-being depends on this change taking
place. Jesus said that "he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted" and in another place he defined such
exaltation as being "greatest in the kingdom of heaven".
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References
Eph 5v1, Matt 23v12, Matt 18v4
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Chapter
16 • MODESTY IN ALL THINGS
Modesty of Character
We all differ in character and personality. Some are bold, confident,
and able to blow a "loud trumpet" to draw attention to
their merits, whilst others are diffident, reserved, and over-emphasize
what they believe to be their lack of ability. Jesus gave a very
good example of these extremes when he related the parable of the
Pharisee and the publican who went into the temple to pray. The
Pharisee's prayer was: "God I thank thee, that I ... I ...
I ... I ... I ..." The publican's prayer was: "God be
merciful to me a sinner." As we would expect, Jesus condemned
the trumpet blowing of the Pharisee and said that the humble sinner
"went down to his house justified rather than the other".
What matters is the Father's estimate of our worth.
As faithful sons of God our task is to cast out from our characters
the insistent "I" and persistently to affirm obedience
to the divine "thou" which represents our Father and Jesus.
This means the denial of the Adam-self and the assertion of the
Christ-mind-not an easy task. But it can be done, as the rough and
ready Galileans whom Jesus called showed.
Peter, the bold, impulsive, reckless one, who not only denied with
an oath that he knew Jesus, but when pressed cursed and swore in
order to save his own skin, so learned from the risen and compassionate
Jesus that he could write: "Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting
all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you."
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References
Luke 18v14, Matt 26v72-75, 1 Peter 5v6-7 RV
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