Humility: an indispensable Christian virtue

Humility: an indispensable Christian virtue

James 4:6-10.

James 4:6,10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

If you are a student of the Bible, you will clearly remember the parable Jesus spoke about in Luke 18:9-14 about two men who came before God in prayers. He gave this parable to show the acceptable posture of our hearts before God. The first man, religious as best as can be, with an air of pride came extolling the virtues of his goodness and works while the other man, though rich in the gains of this world, realizing his wretchedness humbled himself before God and received answers to his heart desires. One received grace, the other received disgrace. This outcome notarizes the truth that humility is the acceptable posture before God. The Bible already declares that the best of our self-righteousness is “as filthy rags” before God, therefore, we cannot present ourselves in that state and expect a good disposition from God towards us- “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”.

In another vein, the expression of humility among brethren garners great results. It promotes a sense of brotherhood and community where everyone is treated as equals and no persons with earthly treasures or spiritual gifts are puffed up as despots of the body of Christ- Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. This does not overrule the hierarchy of leadership but Christ gave us His commandment about ruling over the saints- Luke 22:24-27 (verse 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth). The more grace God bestows upon us, the more we need to remain humble to retain His presence and not forget that we are nothing without Him- 2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

Finally, the outlook of our lives in the world must portray humility. Regardless of the physical blessings and spiritual endowments bestowed upon us by God, we must stay grounded in humility, never climb a high horse of looking down on sinners, or flaunt our possessions (not that we possess anything that wasn’t given to us by God) to oppress the poor, rather, our humility despite all these will be an attraction of the world to the side of the Savior’s cross and also endear us to the heart of our Lord- Psalms 18:27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

1 If thou wouldst have the dear Savior from heaven
Walk by thy side from the morn till the even,
There is a rule that each day you must follow:
Humble thyself to walk with God.

Refrain:
Humble thyself and the Lord will draw near thee,
Humble thyself and His presence shall cheer thee;
He will not walk with the proud or the scornful,
Humble thyself to walk with God.

2 Just as the Lord, in the world’s early ages,
Walked and communed with the prophets and sages,
He will come now if you meet the conditions:
Humble thyself to walk with God. [Refrain]

3 Just as the stream finds a bed that is lowly,
So Jesus walks with the pure and the holy;
Cast out thy pride, and in heartfelt contrition
Humble thyself to walk with God. [Refrain]