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The Meridian of Humility: Submission

Posted on by livinglilies

The purpose of life is not to find your freedom, but your master.”
P.T. Forsyth

The meridian or the highest peak of the sun above us is at noon day.  Likewise, the apex of the outworking of the nature of humility is perfect submission to His Lordship.  This is the nucleus and purpose of humility.  “As thou wilt; what thou wilt; when thou wilt.” Thomas Kempis

 

Richard of St. Victor defines humility as the interior contempt of oneself.  Do you forget your own nothingness?  Recall the words of Apostle Paul, “If a man thinks he is ‘somebody’, he is deceiving himself, for that very thought proves that he is nobody.” (Galatians 6:3, JB Phillips)  Do you delight and glory in your knowledge, your power, your riches, your prayers, or your righteousness?  Prophet Jeremiah declared, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, and let not the strong man glory in his strength, and let not the rich man glory in his riches.” (Jeremiah 9:23)  But rather bring all our talents, gifts, crown and trophies at His feet and proclaimed that all these blessings come from His hand. 

 

“Nothing in man is further removed from humility than reliance upon his own virtue.”
 St. Gregory

“A heart that is truly humble always fears to hear its own praises.”
St Gregory

 

The authentication and hallmark of contrited humility (brokenness) is the crucifixion of self-love.  The humility of heart exemplified by the footsteps of Jesus brings forth the finest specimen of this truth.  It is known as the Kenosis (or self-emptying) of Christ. (Philippians 2:7)  The Greek word Kenosis means “to empty” (NKJV – ‘made Himself of no reputation’).  Indeed, His life of self-abasement is the epitome (characterize) of the inwardness of humility (see Philippians 2:5-11)

The 7 steps in the Kenosis of Christ

  1. He let go of His equality with God.
  2. He made Himself of no reputation.
  3. He took upon Himself the form of a servant.
  4. He was made in the likeness of man.
  5. He humbled Himself.
  6. He became obedient unto death.
  7. Even the death of the cross.

The 7 steps in the Kurios of Christ

  1. God highly exalted Him.
  2. God gave Him a name which is above every name.
  3. That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow.
  4. Things in heaven.
  5. Things in earth.
  6. Things under the earth.
  7. That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
    [Kurios means: supreme in authority and dominion]

What is the secret of Christ’s humility?  “Let His mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”  Paul admonishes us to cultivate the mind of Christ, which is humbleness of mind (Colossians 3:12).  The gateway to humility is in our mind and in our thought-life.  The key to Christ’s humility was His mind.  The crux of humility is to have a proper opinion and estimation of ourselves, realizing that truly we are nothing without Christ.

St. John of Chrysostom, the early church father exhorts us: “When our Lord said, ‘learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart’, it was not merely to monks that He spoke, but to all classes of men.”