Some time ago I started memorizing one of my favorite books in the Bible, the book of Philippians. Chapter one was not difficult to work on, I have always treasured Paul's prayer for the Philippians in his first chapter. As I began to work on chapter two- Imitating Christ's Humility - I couldn't go on. Though I have read it before, now Paul's counsel "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" became very solemn and convicting. I sensed the need to understand more about the call to imitate the Lord's humility.
Through Andrew Murray's classic book HUMILITY the Lord has shown me principles that need to take root in my soul so that I sincerely admire and desire Christ's humility with all my heart. To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the process of taking principles deep into my soul and become fruitful, I decided to write insights from each chapter of HUMILITY. His grace is sufficient to bring about something out of a desire for more of Him.
First, I like to quote Andrew Murray's thoughts regarding his own experience on humility -
"When I look back on my own experience or on the church of Christ in the world, I stand amazed at the thought of how seldom humility is sought after as the distinguishing feature of the discipleship of Jesus. In preaching and living, in the daily activities of home and social life, in the felowship with Christians... there is much proof that humility is not the cardinal virtue... the one indispensable condition of true fellowship with Jesus".
Now, from chapter one Humility: The glory of the Creature - God is worthy to receive glory, honor and power, for He created all things, and for His pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:10).
If I am created for God's pleasure, my attitude toward Him must be of constant praise, gratitude and dependence on Him so that His intention of demonstrating His love, wisdom, and power in and through me may be accomplished. Murray states "humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of man. It is the root of every virtue... pride is the root of every sin and evil".
...Jesus made Himself nothing... and became obedient to death on the cross (Philippians 2:5,8).
The practical implication of taking to heart the Lord's attitude of nothingness and total obedience to God is that I too must learn to bring to Him my attitude of nothingness and submission so that all that I say and do reflect solid trust in His sovereingty and goodness. Only the practice of Christ's humility makes love, faith, joy, strength, power... real and possible. Only the grace of humility would make me able to impact the lives of those around me.
A. Murray states " It is possible to have known the Lord for a long time without realizing that meekness and lowlines of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple, as it was of the Master."
Pride is toxic and very difficult to detect on our own. We can see why the Lord repeatedly and powerfully exposed pride in the disciples. He used countless opportunities to show them how a humble soul thinks and behaves. They didn't learn to imitate their Lord's humbleness easily, we don't do it either.
I thank the Holy Spirit for lovingly expose my need of humility, also for being the only One able to cast it out of my soul as I continuosly cooperate with Him. Humility is nothing I can produce, it is rather my constant attitude of nothingness before the Lord. It is living as a dearly loved creature before a mighty Creator and loving King.
The grace of humility must be " the object of special desire, prayer, faith and practice".
Next, insights from chapter six - Humility in Daily Life.
