The Right Attitude

There are many Bible examples of the right attitude, of lowliness of mind. When Peter entered the home of Cornelius, that man "fell down at [Peter's] feet and did obeisance to him." But instead of accepting adulation, "Peter lifted him up, saying: 'Rise; I myself am also a man.' " (Acts 10:25, 26) When Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, Paul healed a man lame from birth. As a result, the crowds said that these apostles were gods. However, Paul and Barnabas "ripped their outer garments and leaped out into the crowd, crying and saying: 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are also humans having the same infirmities as you do.' " (Acts 14:8-15 These humble Christians would not accept glory from humans.

When the apostle John was given a revelaton by Jesus Christ," it was transmitted by an angel. (Revelation1:1) Because of the power of an angel, we can understand why John was awed, for one angel destroyed 185,000 Assyrians in one night. (2Kings 19:35) John relates: "When I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that had been showing me these things. But he tells me: 'Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers. . . Worship God.' " (Revelation 22:8, 9) What lowliness of mind on the part of this powerful angel!

Jesus was the finest example of one who was lowly in mind. He was God's only-begotten Son, the future King of God's heavenly Kingdom. When he presented himself to the people as such, he did not doas the conquering generals of Roman ti mes di. They were given huge parades - processions - and rode in chariots decorated with gold and ivory, drawn by white horses, or even by elephants, lion, or tigers. In the processions were musicians singing victory songs, along with carts loaded with booty and huge floats illustrating battle scenes. There were also captive kings, princes and generals, with their families, often stripped naked to humiliate them. The events reeked of pride, haughtiness.

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