In the ancient Greek and Roman cultures, there were 147 well-known virtue maxims that summarized the society. They demonstrated all of the attributes that were prized in that culture. 147 items and not one of them was humility.The Greek word philotimia meant love of honor. The philosopher Aristotle said that honor and reputation were among the greatest things anyone can obtain. When someone achieved great things, it was only right and proper that full recognition be given.

Humility comes from the word humilitus, which meant a shameful lowering of yourself. Citizens were expected to be humble before the gods and the emperor. Or else they would kill you. But citizens would never consider being humble with peers or someone lower than themselves. This would be shameful.

Jesus turned that idea upside down. He showed us the best example of humility, as he took our place on the cross. We too can be humble, and should be humble and think of others above ourselves as it says in Philippians. This humility is a key component of love. To follow Christ is to throw away our pride and forget about our reputations for the sake of other people.

This is Luis Palau.