THE EVOLUTION OF HUMILITY

Although Science has done irreparable damage to the term "evolution," it is still the best word to describe a person's development, physically and intellectually. When a skinny, timid nerd with acne turns out to be a self-assured hunk, you will often hear the ladies saying, "He has evolved into quite a catch." When a child develops into a star athlete, or a musical genius, those who have observed them are said to have watched them evolve. Every valedictorian was once a child who asked questions, and needed the help of teachers. The Bible describes the intellectual and physical development of Jesus in a single verse: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Lk. 2:52). The Creator of the entire universe entered the world as a little child, needing the protection, provision, and instruction of Joseph and Mary (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; Lk. 2:51). It is strange to view the life of Jesus as the evolution of the God-man into the Christ, but that is exactly what happened.

Where Jesus and the rest of humanity differ, however, is that Jesus never evolved spiritually. There never was a time when sin marred His soul (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22). Most conservative theologians believe that the sin nature is passed from the father to the child. The promised redeemer was to be of the "seed of woman" (Gen. 3:15). "Seed," as any scientist will tell you, is the product of the male of the species. The female produces the "egg." When the twenty-three chromosomes from the father and twenty-three from the mother combine, the sex of the offspring is either said to be "XX" in the case of a girl, or "XY" in the case of a boy. The conception of Jesus did not require a contribution from a male; the Holy Spirit merely had to remove half of one of the "cross-bars" of one of the "X's." Because Jesus had God for a father and not Joseph, there never was a time when He naturally wanted to sin (Matt. 1:16; 1:18; Lk. 1:35; 3:23). He did not evolve spiritually. Jesus was as holy at the time of His conception as He was at His resurrection!

We, on the other hand, enter the world with a sin nature. One does not need to teach an infant to "demand" attention, or a toddler to touch a "no-no." A child will lie without being taught, or steal when they have never observed someone model that behavior. Parents begin the evolution of social etiquette very early in a child's life. The first sign of spiritual "life" in a child is their conscience. As the child grows, the parents need to increase the list of forbidden behaviors due to the fact that "attitudes" and "desires" change. The parents must "lay down the law." Once the child has reached the age of maturity, they often leave "the nest" and must decide to be law-abiding on their own. It is when a person realizes that he is unable to always do the right thing, that he has a need for inner change. He is aware that he is a sinner, and that he needs help. Nearly all choose religion to meet that need. Religion teaches more rules that one is doomed to break. It is when a person realizes that religion does not perfect his soul, that he becomes aware of a need for a Savior. That is when the Holy Spirit offers the gift of faith in Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9). That is when a person has the opportunity to "evolve" into a child of God (Jn. 1:12; 3:1-21). Even then, the "evolution" is not complete, but God promises it will happen one day (1 Jn. 3:2)! Praise Him!