“The highest lesson a believer has to learn is humility. Oh, that every Christian who seeks to advance on holiness may remember this well. Let us learn the lesson – the highest holiness is the deepest humility”
Andrew Murray
The summit of Mt Lebanon meaning ‘whiteness’, which is the vertex symbol of purity, is 11,024 feet above sea level. Some of the renowned majestic cedars growing in the mountainous forest are at least 2,500 years old comes from this region. Likewise, the pinnacle of spiritual maturity is found in a man who possesses this cardinal virtue of humility.
The acme example of this trait of humility is found in the condescension of love in the garb of humanity. Christ is the humility of God embroiled in human nature. The garb of self-abasement (lowliness) along with the absence of the independence trait (meekness) and the total reliance (abandonment) upon God are the exhibiting features of the royal character of the Man of Nazareth. Hence, walking in humility is our conformity participation in the nature of Jesus.
Indeed, this is the indelible mark of true nobility in a man. It is the stepping stone to honour in God’s kingdom. “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slaves”; “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 20:27-28; 23:11-12)
Romancing the glory of humility
“How great is God! How small am I!
Lost, swallowed upon love’s immensity
God only there, not I”
“Oh, to be emptier, lowlier,
Mean, unnoticed, and unknown,
And to God a vessel holier,
Filled with Christ, and Christ alone!”
Andrew Murray
The memorable counsel of St. Augustine to his dear friend, Dioscurus:
“Do not depart, O Dioscurus, from the royal way of humility which was taught by Christ; although many other virtues are commanded by the Christian religion, study to give humility the highest place, because all virtues are acquired and maintained by humility, and without humility they varnish away.”
In our quest for humility, the prayer must ever rise from the heart,
“Lord, purify us in heart, head and hand; and if it be needful to be thoroughly cleansed, we would even welcome the fire if we may be rid of the dross. Save us from ourselves in every shape, and grant us the nature of the Lamb of God.”
