The Alpha of Humility

UV 3056/10000 The Alpha of Humility



Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

I Peter 5 v 5



Just as much as pride displeases the Lord, a spirit of humility pleases Him. Pride is the original sin and lusts are derived therefrom. Humility comes from correctly assessing ourselves, understanding our limitations while appreciating the possibilities when we are connected with the Lord by humbling ourselves to acknowledge Him as our loving , all knowing Creator and Redeemer. Grace is not available for the proud. It is freely available and in abundance for the humble at heart. Humility is reflected in submission to the Lord and in mutual submission. We are exhorted by St Paul to clothe ourselves with humility. In other words, humility covers our nakedness and gives us dignity in the presence of the Lord. As clothes tend to get dirty and need to be washed, we need to renew our attitude of humility on a daily basis. No part of our being should be left uncovered by the garment of humility implying that in every aspect of life, we humble ourselves before the Lord. Even as we lower ourselves or humble ourselves under the Lord, He lifts us up and honours us.

Humility is manifested in many ways: how we respond and honour those who are older than us, how we respect each other, how we repent and have a spirit of brokenness before the Lord, how we do things to serve the body of believers. Humility unlike modesty is not an outward show but an inner attitude of lowering oneself before the Lord. We have nothing to boast about or be proud about except our relationship with the Lord. Humility lies in remembering that though we were in the miry pit of this world, it is the Lord who has chosen us and lifted us to place us as His royal representatives on Earth. Humility is acknowledging our limitations and appreciating the infinite power and deep love of the Lord.

Humility is not the same as having low self esteem. We esteem ourselves as we are restored by Jesus to the very image of the Lord by His grace and not due to any of our efforts or personal qualities or abilities. We are not therefore to regard ourselves better than any one else. Like St Paul, we are to regard ourselves as the worst of sinners but saved purely by His grace.