Momentum: Pursuing God’s Blessings Through The BeatitudesSample

Humility Is More Than Shame for Your Sins

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… he humbled himself…" Philippians 2:5, 8

I have every reason to be humble because my sins are many. At best, I fall short of what God calls me to be and to do. But there’s more to humility than being put in our place on account of our sins. Jesus was humble and there was no sin in him. The humility of Jesus did not spring from the experience of sin. It came from another source.

Andrew Murray’s book, Humility, opens this up: “If humility is to be our joy, we must see that it is not only the mark of shame because of sin, but apart from all sin, humility is being clothed upon with the very beauty and blessedness of heaven and of Jesus… Humility is… deeper than contrition. It is a participation in the life of Jesus. Humanity in its highest perfection is humble.”

The Beatitudes describe a life that is radiant with the beauty of Christ. Christ burns our pride to ashes, and in its place he forms the beauty of a humble heart. The Son of God says to you: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). One way to learn from him is by listening to his words:

“I can do nothing on my own.” John 5:30 “I have come… not to do my own will…” John 6:38 “I do not seek my own glory…” John 8:50

Since these are the words of Christ, how much more should they be yours and mine?

For further reading, see Philippians 2:5-11