Humility

1. Humility: The Foundation of Existence

Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.

Creaturely dependence. Humility isn't just a virtue; it's the natural state of being for any created thing. Just as a plant depends on the sun and soil, we depend on God for every moment of our existence. This dependence isn't a weakness but a recognition of reality. It's the understanding that we are vessels, not the source, and that our purpose is to receive and reflect God's glory. This understanding is the bedrock of all true virtue.

• God is the source of all life and goodness.
• We are recipients, not originators.
• Humility is acknowledging this fundamental truth.

Empty vessels. We are designed to be empty vessels, ready to be filled by God. This isn't a passive state but an active surrender, a conscious choice to let God be all in all. It's in this emptiness that we find our true purpose and fulfillment. When we try to be self-sufficient, we are essentially trying to fill ourselves with something that is not meant to be there.

• Our purpose is to be filled by God.
• Self-sufficiency is a denial of our true nature.
• Humility is the willingness to be empty.

Root of all virtue. Humility is not just one virtue among many; it's the root from which all other virtues grow. Without humility, our other virtues become tainted with pride and self-seeking. It's the soil in which faith, love, and joy can take root and flourish. It's the foundation upon which a life of true meaning and purpose is built.

• Humility is the foundation of all other virtues.
• Without humility, virtues become tainted.
• It is the soil for faith, love, and joy.

2. Pride: The Root of All Downfall

In heaven and earth, pride, self-exaltation, is the gate and the birth, and the curse, of hell.

The original sin. Pride is not just a character flaw; it's the original sin that led to the fall of both angels and humanity. It's the desire to be like God, to be self-sufficient and independent. This desire is the root of all evil and suffering in the world. It's the poison that corrupts our hearts and separates us from God.

• Pride is the desire to be like God.
• It is the root of all evil and suffering.
• It separates us from God.

Self-exaltation. Pride manifests as self-exaltation, the desire to be seen as better than others. This can take many forms, from boasting and arrogance to subtle forms of self-promotion and comparison. It's a constant striving for recognition and approval, a desperate attempt to fill the void within with the fleeting praise of others.

• Pride is the desire to be seen as better.
• It manifests as self-promotion and comparison.
• It seeks recognition and approval.

The curse of hell. Pride is not just a mistake; it's a curse that leads to destruction. It's the opposite of humility, which is the path to life and blessing. Pride blinds us to our true condition and prevents us from receiving God's grace. It's the gate to hell, a place of separation from God and all that is good.

• Pride is a curse that leads to destruction.
• It blinds us to our true condition.
• It prevents us from receiving God's grace.

3. Christ's Humility: The Key to Redemption

Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man, as a creature, by His life of perfect humility. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility.

Incarnate humility. Christ's incarnation was an act of profound humility. He, the Son of God, emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant. This wasn't just a temporary role; it was the very essence of His being. He came not to be served but to serve, to give His life as a ransom for many.

• Christ emptied Himself and became a servant.
• His humility was the essence of His being.
• He came to serve and give His life.

Obedience unto death. Christ's humility culminated in His obedience unto death, even death on a cross. This was the ultimate act of self-surrender, a complete giving up of His will to the will of the Father. It was through this act of humility that He secured our redemption.

• Christ's humility culminated in His death.
• He surrendered His will to the Father.
• His death secured our redemption.

Our salvation. Christ's humility is not just an example for us to follow; it's the very essence of our salvation. We are saved not by our own efforts but by His grace, which is manifested in His humility. Our salvation is not just a forgiveness of sins but a transformation of our nature, a participation in His humble life.

• Christ's humility is the essence of our salvation.
• We are saved by His grace, not our efforts.
• Salvation is a transformation of our nature.

4. Humility: The Essence of True Discipleship

Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.

Root of all graces. Humility is not just one virtue among many; it's the root of all true Christian graces. It's the foundation upon which faith, love, and obedience are built. Without humility, our other virtues become tainted with pride and self-seeking. It's the soil in which the Spirit of God can work effectively.

• Humility is the root of all Christian graces.
• Without it, other virtues are tainted.
• It is the soil for the Spirit's work.

Right attitude before God. Humility is the right attitude before God, a recognition of our dependence on Him and our unworthiness in His sight. It's the understanding that we are nothing and that He is all. This attitude is essential for true worship and fellowship with God.

• Humility is recognizing our dependence on God.
• It is understanding that we are nothing.
• It is essential for true worship.

God does all. Humility allows God to do all in us and through us. When we are humble, we make room for His power and grace to work in our lives. We stop trying to control things and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives. It's in this surrender that we find true freedom and fulfillment.

• Humility allows God to work in us.
• It is a surrender of control.
• It leads to true freedom and fulfillment.

5. Humility in Action: Serving Others

Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.

Servant of all. True humility is not just an internal attitude; it's manifested in our actions towards others. It's the willingness to serve, to put the needs of others before our own. This is the example that Jesus set for us, and it's the mark of a true disciple.

• Humility is manifested in service to others.
• It is putting others' needs before our own.
• It is the mark of a true disciple.

Washing feet. Jesus demonstrated humility by washing His disciples' feet, a task that was usually performed by the lowest of servants. This act was a powerful symbol of His willingness to serve and His call for us to do the same. It's a reminder that no task is too menial for a humble heart.

• Jesus washed His disciples' feet.
• It was a symbol of His willingness to serve.
• No task is too menial for a humble heart.

Love in action. Humility is the foundation of true love. When we are humble, we are able to love others selflessly, without seeking anything in return. We are able to forgive, to bear with one another, and to build up the body of Christ. It's in our service to others that we truly reflect the love of God.

• Humility is the foundation of true love.
• It enables us to love selflessly.
• It is reflected in our service to others.

6. Holiness and Humility: Inseparable Companions

The holiest will ever be the humblest.

Bloom of holiness. Humility is not just a virtue that we should strive for; it's the very bloom and beauty of holiness. It's the natural expression of a heart that is filled with the love and grace of God. The more we grow in holiness, the more we will grow in humility.

• Humility is the bloom and beauty of holiness.
• It is the natural expression of a heart filled with God.
• The more we grow in holiness, the more we grow in humility.

Counterfeit holiness. The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is its lack of humility. Those who are truly seeking God will be characterized by a deep sense of their own unworthiness and a genuine desire to serve others. Pride is a subtle and dangerous enemy that can creep into even the most spiritual of hearts.

• Lack of humility is a mark of counterfeit holiness.
• True seekers of God are characterized by humility.
• Pride is a subtle and dangerous enemy.

God is all. True holiness is not about our own efforts but about God's presence in our lives. The more we are filled with His presence, the more we will realize our own nothingness. Humility is simply the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.

• True holiness is about God's presence.
• The more we are filled with Him, the more we realize our nothingness.
• Humility is the disappearance of self.

7. Humility and Sin: A Constant Awareness

Sinners, of whom I am chief.

Saved sinners. Humility is not just about recognizing our dependence on God; it's also about acknowledging our sinfulness. We are all sinners, saved by grace. This awareness should never leave us, even as we grow in holiness. It's the foundation of our gratitude and our dependence on God's mercy.

• We are all sinners, saved by grace.
• This awareness should never leave us.
• It is the foundation of our gratitude.

Past sins. The memory of our past sins should serve as a constant reminder of our unworthiness and our need for God's grace. It's not about dwelling on our failures but about recognizing the depth of God's love and forgiveness. This remembrance should fuel our humility and our desire to serve Him.

• Past sins remind us of our unworthiness.
• They highlight the depth of God's love and forgiveness.
• They fuel our humility and desire to serve.

Grace, not sin. It's not our sin that makes us humble but God's grace. The more we experience His love and forgiveness, the more we will realize our own nothingness. It's in the light of His glory that we see our true condition. It's not about focusing on our sin but on His grace.

• It is God's grace, not our sin, that makes us humble.
• The more we experience His love, the more we realize our nothingness.
• It is about focusing on His grace, not our sin.

8. Humility and Faith: The Path to God's Glory

How can ye believe, which receive glory from one another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?

Faith and humility. Faith and humility are inextricably linked. Faith is the surrender of our own efforts and the acceptance of God's grace. Humility is the recognition of our dependence on Him and our inability to save ourselves. Without humility, faith is impossible.

• Faith is the surrender of our own efforts.
• Humility is the recognition of our dependence on God.
• Without humility, faith is impossible.

Seeking God's glory. Pride seeks the glory of men, while faith seeks the glory of God. When we are focused on receiving praise from others, we are not seeking the glory that comes from God. This is a hindrance to faith, as it prevents us from fully surrendering to Him.

• Pride seeks the glory of men.
• Faith seeks the glory of God.
• Seeking praise from others hinders faith.

Empty vessels. Humility prepares us to be empty vessels, ready to be filled by God's grace. When we are humble, we are not trying to earn His favor or impress Him with our own efforts. We are simply receiving what He freely offers. This is the essence of faith.

• Humility prepares us to be empty vessels.
• We are not trying to earn God's favor.
• We are simply receiving what He offers.

9. Humility and Death to Self: The Ultimate Surrender

He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.

Path to death. Humility is the path to death to self. It's the willingness to give up our own will and desires and to surrender completely to God. This is not a passive resignation but an active choice to let Him be the Lord of our lives.

• Humility is the path to death to self.
• It is the willingness to give up our own will.
• It is an active choice to let God be Lord.

Perfect death. Humility is perfected in death to self. It's in the complete surrender of our own life that we truly find life in Christ. This is not a one-time event but a daily process of dying to our own desires and living for Him.

• Humility is perfected in death to self.
• It is a daily process of dying to our desires.
• It is in surrender that we find life in Christ.

Christ's death. Christ's death was the ultimate act of humility, and it's the model for our own death to self. We are called to follow in His footsteps, to give up our own lives for the sake of others. It's in this self-sacrifice that we truly reflect His love.

• Christ's death was the ultimate act of humility.
• We are called to follow in His footsteps.
• It is in self-sacrifice that we reflect His love.

10. Humility and Happiness: Finding Joy in Lowliness

Wherefore I take pleasure in weakness: for when I am weak then am I strong.

Joy in weakness. True happiness is not found in strength and self-sufficiency but in weakness and dependence on God. When we are humble, we are able to experience His grace and power in a way that we never could when we were trying to rely on ourselves.

• True happiness is found in weakness and dependence on God.
• Humility allows us to experience His grace and power.
• We cannot experience this when relying on ourselves.

Glory in weakness. The humble person is able to glory in their weaknesses, knowing that it's in their weakness that God's strength is made perfect. They don't try to hide their flaws or pretend to be something they're not. They are content to be nothing, so that God can be all.

• The humble person glories in their weaknesses.
• They know that God's strength is made perfect in weakness.
• They are content to be nothing, so that God can be all.

Secret of gladness. Humility is the secret of abiding gladness. When we are humble, we are free from the burden of self-seeking and self-promotion. We are able to find joy in serving others and in knowing that we are pleasing God. This is a joy that nothing can destroy.

• Humility is the secret of abiding gladness.
• It frees us from self-seeking and self-promotion.
• It allows us to find joy in serving others and pleasing God.

11. Humility and Exaltation: God's Promise

He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

God's promise. God has promised to exalt those who humble themselves. This is not a promise of worldly success or recognition but of true honor and glory in His kingdom. It's a promise that He will lift us up into the likeness of His Son.

• God has promised to exalt those who humble themselves.
• This is not a promise of worldly success.
• It is a promise of true honor and glory in His kingdom.

Humble yourself. Our part is to humble ourselves, to take every opportunity to serve others and to put their needs before our own. We are not to seek our own exaltation but to trust that God will lift us up in His own time and in His own way.

• Our part is to humble ourselves.
• We are to serve others and put their needs first.
• We are to trust that God will exalt us in His time.

God will exalt. God is faithful to His promises. When we humble ourselves, He will exalt us. This is not a reward for our humility but a manifestation of His grace. It's a reminder that He is the one who works in us and through us, and that all glory belongs to Him.

• God is faithful to His promises.
• He will exalt those who humble themselves.
• All glory belongs to Him.

Last updated: January 23, 2025