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About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman Humility
Isn't Weakness In Gander, Newfoundland,
Canada, in an allusion to Canada
's sad and unnecessary fractured friendship with the United States, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Cretien said this.
"Never mistake our generosity for weakness.
Never mistake our kindness for softness.
Never mistake our tolerance for lack of determination."
He said this in a 911 memorial ceremony this past September 11,
2026. It was 25 years earlier
when 7,000 of Gander's citizens graciously housed, fed and entertained
6,500 stranded, mostly Americans whose 58 airplanes were forced to land in
Gander's little airport since they were unable to land in New York City.
Cretien's
words struck my Bible-shaped sensitivities. Graciousness, generosity
and tolerance are associated with humility which does not express any hint
of weakness as many in today's prideful arrogant culture may think.
So I define humility as a quiet confidence, an inner self security that
has no need to self promote. In contrast, a prideful arrogance
expresses an inner insecurity that feels the need to hide its thin-skinned
insecurity by self promoting. Proverbs
16:18 says that "pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit
before a fall". We must take this verse seriously, but many
don't. It tells us that the probable outcome of a prideful arrogant
individual or nation will probably end with a self-inflicted destructive
suicidal fall. Knowing this, prideful arrogance should really bother
Christians, but it often doesn't these days because if it appears to
support a Christian cause, many will turn a blind eye to it.
Does Proverbs 16:18 speak to this issue? Jesus
is the prime example of godly humility. When interrogated by
Governor Pilate He was so secure in Himself that He felt no need to argue,
debate, answer all questions, defend or promote Himself. He simply
and calmly maintained lordship by saying "my kingdom is not of this
world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by
the Jewish leaders. My kingdom is from another place." (John
18:36). It's like saying "that's the end of the matter.
Nothing more needs to be said". Humility
is not weakness. It's a quiet, confident, self-secure strength that
has no need to argue, debate, defend or arrogantly promote one's self.
Prophetically speaking, this is the Word of our Lord for Christians and
the church living in today's prideful and arrogant culture.
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