I’ve been contemplating the idea of humility, and it’s been quite a revealing journey. In chapter 8 of Andrew Murray’s “Humility,” I’m realizing that humility isn’t about focusing on how bad we are, but rather about recognizing God’s amazing grace. I used to think that staying humble meant constantly thinking about my sins, but I’m learning there’s so much more to it. Let me share what I’ve been discovering.

Rethinking Humility and Sin

It’s interesting how we often link the word “humility” with negative feelings about ourselves, thinking that we’re terrible sinners. It’s almost like we can’t imagine being humble without constantly focusing on our sins. But, I now realize that humility is so much bigger than that. Jesus’ teachings, and the writings of the apostles, often emphasize humility without mentioning sin at all. Long before sin entered the world, God designed the universe to operate on submission and surrender. Jesus Himself lived a life of perfect humility, and He never sinned. The humility He gives us isn’t about dwelling on sin, but about practicing it less.

The True Nature of Humility

Humility has less to do with sin, and more to do with holiness and blessing. It’s about getting self out of the way, so that God can take the throne. When God is everything, self becomes nothing. This perspective has really shifted how I view my relationship with God.

God’s Grace and Our Sin

Now, having said that, I’m also learning that God’s grace in the face of our sin should bring a new depth to humility for every child of God. Just look at Paul! He never forgot the sinner he had been. He often spoke about his life as a persecutor and blasphemer, acknowledging, “I am the least of all the apostles, and I am not worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

Paul also said that he was chosen to share the good news with the Gentiles, even though he was the least deserving Christian, (Ephesians 3:9). He also stated that God had mercy on him because he acted in ignorance and unbelief, (1 Timothy 1:12-13).

A Lasting Awareness of Our Sin

These passages aren’t about daily sins that Paul was still practicing; they are about something that will last forever. This awareness of our sin gives a deep, rich awe and wonder to our humility as we bow before God. We are those who have been washed from our sins by the blood of the Lamb. All believers are, and always will be, ransomed sinners. We can’t live in the full light of God’s love without understanding that the sin we were saved from is our only qualification for all that God’s grace has promised to do in us.

Humility: A Gift of Grace

It takes humility to come to Christ as sinners. This humility takes on a new meaning when we realize how fitting it is for us as new creations. The humility born in us has its deepest notes of praise when we remember what it means to be a monument of God’s amazing, redeeming love.

I find it amazing that Paul lived a nearly sinless life after his rebirth. In the book of Acts and in his letters, we don’t see Paul falling into sin, as we do with other great disciples. Paul was vulnerable, and he laid bare his heart in intensely personal ways, yet where can we detect any shortcoming or defect? Where can we say he failed in his duty, or sinned against the perfect law of love?

Paul’s Example of Humility

Paul could write amazing statements like, “You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we are pure and honest and faultless toward all of you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:10). He also wrote, “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings” (2 Corinthians 1:12). Paul wasn’t just saying how he aspired to live; he was saying that these statements described how he had lived. It’s clear that Paul must have lived in the Power of the Holy Spirit to a degree that has seldom been matched.

The Secret to Paul’s Humility

The key to Paul’s humility wasn’t being obsessed with his daily sin. His secret was in how he continually positioned his heart before God, a position he never forgot. As God provided more for him, this position became even more alive. This position of a sinner saved by grace, is our only true place. It’s our only place of blessing.

Grace Demolishes Sin

A healthy body kills germs; light swallows up darkness; life conquers death. And Jesus, living in us through His Spirit, is the health, light, and life of our souls. We overcome our helplessness as we trust the Holy Spirit’s work. We have a humble sense of our dependence on Him. Faith and joy accompany humility. This humility lives only by the grace of God.

It was the wonderful grace given to Paul—a grace he knew he needed every moment—that humbled him so deeply. This grace enabled him to work harder than the rest. With this grace comes faith in and love for the Lord Jesus. It was this grace that kept Paul’s awareness of having once sinned so alive. “As people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant” (Romans 5:20). Grace demolishes sin. The greater our experience of grace, the more intense is our awareness that we are sinners. It isn’t sin that keeps us truly humble, but God’s grace. Grace makes our position of deep humility a place we will never leave.

The Path to True Humility

I’m learning that trying to humble myself by condemning and putting myself down doesn’t work. Focusing on myself—even with self-hatred—will never free me from myself. I need God’s revelation, not only through His law condemning me, but also through His grace delivering me.

The law may break my heart with fear, but only grace can work into my heart the sweet humility that becomes its nature and its joy. It was the revelation of God in His holiness, drawing near to make Himself known in His grace, that made Abraham, Jacob, Job, and Isaiah, bow so low before Him. There will be no room for self in the soul that waits for, trusts, worships, and is filled with the presence of God.

Focusing on Jesus

It is the sinner, stepping into the full light of God’s holy, redeeming love, who will experience God’s love living inside him through Christ and the Holy Spirit. That person cannot help but be humble. Not focusing on sin, but focusing on Jesus, will bring me deliverance from self. It’s in His love that I find true humility.

As I continue to grow in my understanding of humility, I am also learning about the importance of prayer and how to hear God speak. The article, “Transform Your Faith: Practical Steps to Hear God Speak,” might be very helpful for anyone who desires to grow deeper in their relationship with God. Also, if you are in the process of discovering that your brokenness can be an opportunity to experience God’s power, I would recommend the article, “Broken Yet Beautiful: God’s Power in Your Weakness.” Finally, to better understand how to receive God’s love, the article, “Embracing God’s Love: From Burden to Beloved” offers practical advice and a deeper spiritual perspective.

References

• “Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness” by Andrew Murray