Humility — Pride
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"The saint who wears heaven's brightest crown,
In deepest adoration bends.
The weight of glory bows him down,
The most when most his soul ascends.
Nearest the throne itself must be
The footstool of humility."
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18
"Be clothed with humility." 1 Peter 5:5
Humility may be defined as consisting in profound self-abasement before God, arising from a deep sense of our sinfulness — and in a low estimation of ourselves, as we stand related to our fellow creatures, whatever is the extent of our attainments, or the importance of the station we occupy. It is described by the apostle as a disposition which leads us, not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think — but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Upon this subject too much stress cannot be laid, for without humility, true religion cannot possibly exist. A proud Christian is a contradiction in terms. We might as well speak of a wise fool, of a wicked saint, of a sober drunkard, or of a chaste harlot — as of a proud Christian. We may as soon expect delicate flowers to flourish in the frozen and barren regions of Siberia — as that true piety should grow in the heart that is proud and haughty. A vine might as well thrive when a worm is gnawing at its root — as that the soul should prosper and be in health, when its arrogance and pride are not subdued.
One of the Fathers of the Church, when asked which was the first principle in religion, replied, Humility. When asked which was the second, he said, Humility. And when asked which was the third, he again answered, Humility. So important was this grace in his estimation, that he regarded it as the beginning, the middle, and the end of true godliness. And we may truly say that where humility is absent, everything else in religion, is in vain. A person may possess the most splendid talents — he may have the gift of miracles, and the knowledge of all mysteries — but without true humility he is, in the sight of God, nothing but sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
Without a spirit of humility — no happiness could be enjoyed in heaven. The proud man, were he admitted there, could feel no real or lasting enjoyment. The outward glory of the place might dazzle his eyes for a time — but he could not relish the society and employments of that blessed state. The honours conferred upon patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs — would be likely to excite his envy, and before long he would attempt to sow the seeds of discord among the heavenly multitudes!
Reader, if you would enjoy true happiness, both here and hereafter, cultivate a humble spirit — for without humility, you will never know true happiness. "O that lovely Valley of Humiliation," said the venerable Rowland Hill, when writing to a friend, "the safest, the most fertile spot between the city of destruction and heaven. May you get into it, make your constant abode in it, and never get out of it, until from thence you shall be called to glory. O! I could say a thousand things in praise of this valley. The air is so healthy; the ground so fertile; the fruit so wholesome; while from the branches of every tree, the voices of prayer and praise are heard in delightful concert. While living in it no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper, since the enemy of souls cannot shoot low enough to reach us to our hurt. Take this hint from a very old man, who is just putting off his harness."
"True humility," said Matthew Wilks, "is a lovely ornament; it is the only suitable dress for a saved sinner." O let us seek then to be clothed in this robe, that we may be brought to lie low at the footstool of our Maker and Redeemer; and that in all our fellowship with each other, we may look at our superiors without envy, and upon our inferiors without contempt.
In the saints of old, this grace of humility appeared with marked prominence; and in following them as patterns for our imitation, let us endeavour to be like-minded with them in this important particular. There was Abraham, the father of the faithful and the friend of God. How great was his humility! how profound his self-abasement! "I have ventured to speak to the Lord — even though I am nothing but dust and ashes." He was filled with a consciousness of his absolute nothingness in the presence of the Great Eternal. There was David also, who speaks of himself as "a worm and no man." Job cried out, "Behold, I am vile!"
In the apostle Paul, again, what a striking exemplification have we of this grace of humility. If self-delight were ever allowable in any individual, it would be in him; for such a laborious, self-denying, unselfish character, has, doubtless, not yet appeared — the man Christ Jesus alone and always excepted. But what were his views and feelings in reference to himself? On one occasion we hear him saying that he was not worthy to be called an apostle. At another time he says, "I am less than the least of all God's people!" And when penning one of his last epistles, he designates himself the very chief of sinners. He was brought to know himself — a knowledge, we are told, in which all wisdom centres. If we knew ourselves as he did — pride and self-delight would find no room within us!
But, above all, let us consider Him who said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me — for I am gentle and humble in heart." The heaven of heavens could not contain Him; all the fullness of the Eternal Godhead dwelt in Him; devils trembled at His rebuke, and flew from His presence to the abodes of misery; yet how gentle, how humble! Reader, aspire after conformity to Christ — in His humility. In the words of the Apostle we would say, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Against the proud — God's displeasure has been manifested in all ages. Think of Pharaoh. The language of that proud monarch was, "Who is the Lord — that I should obey Him?" But the Divine Majesty could not bear to be thus insulted; hence the puny worm with all his legions were destroyed; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Think of Nebuchadnezzar. Hear his boasting exclamation, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" But God resisted him, and he was turned from the society of men — to eat grass with the beasts of the field! Think of Herod. With what delight did he receive the applause of the people, when they cried, "It is the voice of a god, and not the voice of man!" But the angel of the Lord smote him, and he was eaten with worms!
While, however, God resists the proud — He has promised to give grace unto the humble. The humble are the objects of His special regard. What He declared concerning Zion, He says in reference to every humble heart, "This is my rest forever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it." "For thus says the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and holy place;" that is one of the palaces of the Great King, where the throne of His glory is erected — where the countless armies of cherubim and seraphim are stationed, and where perfected saints reside. But He has another place of habitation: "with him also, who is humble and contrite in spirit!"
"Thus says the high and lofty One,
I sit upon My holy throne;
My name is God, I dwell on high,
Dwell in My own eternity.
But I descend to worlds below;
On earth I have a mansion too;
The humble spirit and contrite
Is an abode of My delight!"
You, O Lord, are high, being exalted above all blessing and praise; yet, notwithstanding Your unspeakable greatness — You have respect unto the humble; but the proud You know afar off. O Lord, subdue the pride of my heart; and help me to manifest, by my whole demeanour — that humility of spirit which is in Your sight of great price!
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