Genuine Humility

Monday - May 2, 2011

I was once asked by an Elder, "Tom, do you have a problem with pride?" I think my response SHOCKED him. I simply said, "Don't we all?"

In light of the focus of the May 1 News Letter on Shepherding & Scholarship, I thought it appropriate to remind myself and others about the importance of humility. Should God grant us the high privilege of achieving some measure of excellence in these two critical areas, we should be profoundly humble.

The following material appeared in Kevin De Young's BLOG on April 27, 2011 and is acknowledged here with much gratitude. Kevin's posts supply me and others with rich material for personal and corporate ministry on a daily basis. THANKS Kevin!

Jonathan Edwards:
An eminent saint is not apt to think himself eminent in any thing; all his graces and experiences are ready to appear to him to be comparatively small; but especially his humility. There is nothing that appertains to Christian experience, and true piety, that is so much out of his sight as his humility. He is a thousand times more quick-sighted to discern his pride, than his humility: that he easily discerns, and is apt to take much notice of, but hardly discerns his humility. (Religious Affections, 334-35)

Are you often aware of your own humility? Then you’re probably not humble.

Have you noticed your pride? Then you may be more humble than you realize.

Here are two signs of Christian maturity: a keen eye to discern your sins and blessed self-forgetfulness.

Father, make me humble. Make me love the Lord with all my heart and love my neighbor as myself. Give me that glorious paradox: the ability to see my sin and at the same time look away from myself. And when I am tempted to posture and position as the world does, remind me that the meek will inherit the earth.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. (1 Peter 5:6). ESV