We ought to be much impressed about humility during remembrance of the first Advent Season, when God visited mankind in the form of an infant. God visited not only in human form, but in the time of mankind, from birth to death. God being God, and mankind being mankind, the Advent event was a miracle of something significantly greater (deity) identifying with something significantly lesser (humanity). We here seek to know genuine humility, acknowledging that there is fake humility which is, in its odd way, a form of pride. (Colossians 2:18, 23.) The pride of humility as counterfeit is a topic for another Page.
It is important for the Christian to believe in the appeal for humility to God. Why should it be so appealing, as to achieve results in the prayers of the truly humble? The answer to this question is insightful of God’s nature, found in shadow in human nature. It is interesting, contributing to our understanding, that humility is cast as a spiritual garment. Since, in spiritual perception, persons (and other creatures) are represented as clothed, the devout person needs to know what that means. The clothing of the Christian for spiritual life and safety is cast in the terms of the items worn by a soldier (Ephesians 6), the devout is seen as clothed with prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17); and, in this same accent, in humility. In this meaning there is to be humility without ceasing. Genuine spiritual clothing is never taken off, never soils, and always needed.
What is so great about humility? It bows to truth. What I believe, what I feel, what I act out is sometimes, often or seldom, wrong – but wrong. By taking an honest position of humility I change the context of what I communicate and/or do. Humility makes clear that the individual is individual. This is my view, but I may be wrong, and I regard others to function, influence, and move along as they fit into their own orientation. Humility does not impose. Humility is not arrogant. Approaching God in humility, I acknowledge my real position, at least to the degree that I am honoring God as my superior. Taking the name of the Lord in vain (swearing, oaths, even to any diminishing symbols for mankind, God’s creation) is a sign of pride, of superiority over my own kind. To damn a person in a word is the arrogance of doing (judging) that only God is competent to do. The humble person leaves it to God to evaluate, to lift up or let down persons from the level field. He knows lasting worth and service. I am truthful in noting that God is quite above me. Arrogance is a sin in its effort to displace God. If mankind were equal with God, God would be the first to acknowledge in truth (humility). There is beauty in humility that expresses reality without words. Some persons are never humble enough to find out who they are.
Humility is even more than respect for the truth of God. It becomes an energizer for faith. Humility can accept God’s providences without fault finding, so to pray, not for one’s own preference, but for the will of God, even if that will is demanding of some discomfort, perhaps some sacrifice. This is not to say that the person does not express personal desires (wants), but that the decision is entirely God’s. It is preferred. This approach, to be effective, must include prayer, which indicates humility. On occasion it appears that God may change his mind relative to an issue – because of humility. In the case of King Ahab, we read the words: . . . .because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring this evil in his days (1 Kings 21:29). Three years later Ahab had wandered from his humble orientation before God, returned to his former arrogance, and died in battle. It is interesting to note that Ahab’s name does not appear again after the temporary repentance noted in 1 Kings 29. He lay dead by his chariot in the war against Jehoshaphat. He is repeatedly referred to only as the king of Israel, in Chapter 30. His name has been blotted out. The divine recorder expunged his name. In these real life experiences we discover the ranges of experiences. We do well to court humility. God’s perception of righteous humility is like that I have seen on the faces of some achievers. After weeks of hard work, culminating in a harvest the farmer looks at the great fields and exults in what he sees, and is humbled by it. He gains the gift of humility that God has given him work, weather, place and meaning – so bounty has arrived. He feels rightly humbled that God gave the increase in partnership, but also that God has trusted him with harvest to share. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020