“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12-13
“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.”
1 Peter 5:5
“There is a call to all earnest Christians to prove thatmeekness and lowliness of heart are the chief marks by which they follow the meek and humble Lamb of God.”
Humility and Death to Self What if, in a life-threatening position, you have the opportunity to live, but you cannot let go of something you are holding.
Think of life that is promised if we not only let go of things that we hold dear, but to give up our own life. True humility leads us to die to self. The result is the humble life that is ours in Christ; now and for eternity.
“Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:25
Revelation, Desire, Prayer, Reality In Paul’s letters to the Romans and the Galatians, he teaches us that the flesh and the Spirit are at war against each other. Hope (another gift) keeps us in prayer and more watchful against the wiles of the devil. He wants us dead, but not to self.
These truths are revealed to us by the Spirit, regenerating us with a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) so that we, seeing our ignorance and pride, come to repentance and faith — our first step toward growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. One step leads to another as we desire this humility, pray for it, and by His working, humble ourselves, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
God Uses All Things to Humble Us Every time I read Murray’s Humility, I come away with his impressive statement concerning God’s means for our humility. It is similar to Romans 8:28-29. It has made a difference in my life to see God’s sovereignty working through everything to conform me to the image of Christ..
“Accept every humiliation, look upon every fellow-man who tries or vexes you, as a means of grace to humble you. Use every opportunity of humbling yourself before your fellow-man as a help to remain humble before God. It is by the mighty strengthening of His Holy Spirit that God reveals Christ fully in you.”
“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:25
Murray ended his book with a suggestion for a personal daily prayer.
“Of your great goodness make known to me and take from my heart every kind and form and degree of pride; and awaken in me the deepest depth and truth of that humility which can make me capable of your light and your Holy Spirit.”
Dear Father, all you expect from us is supernatural and beyond our doing, but you put the desire in our hearts and promise us that you are exceedingly abundantly able to do more than we can ask or imagine, by the power of your Spirit working in us. Thank you for coming down to us that you might bring us to yourself — that by your divine power, we may live a life of humility before you and men. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. Amen.
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“When we reach the depths of humility then are we lifted to the heights of Christ’s glory.” Andrew Murray Humility ~ the Beauty of Holiness
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20
Jesus, on this day of the week, was raised in the power of the life He would give to those who follow Him. The Holy Spirit is still able to work the life of humility in us,
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs to God.”
Psalm 62:11
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Jeremiah 32:17
“The life of God, which in the incarnation entered human nature, is the root in which we are to stand and grow. It is the same almighty power that worked there, and from then on to the resurrection, which works daily in us. Our one need (now) is to study and know and trust the life that has been revealed in Christ as the life that is now ours.”
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
2 Peter 1:3
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 1:12
The power needed to become the sons of God is the same power needed for humility.
“The life God bestows is imparted not once and for all, but each moment continuously, by the unceasing operation of His mighty power.” Humility Andrew Murray
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,” Ephesians 1:19
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20
Gracious Father in heaven, let this be our praise to you for the life of Christ that you promise your children. What you require of us, you have the power to do in us. Pour out your Spirit of humility upon us and make us to know your continual presence with us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”
Mark 10:44
“When we see that humility is something infinitely deeper than contrition, and accept it as our participation in the life of Jesus, we will begin to learn that it is our true nobility. We will begin to understand that (even as Jesus was a servant) being servants of all is the highest fulfillment of our destiny, as men created in the image of God.”
“The humble man seeks at all times to act on the rule, ‘In honor preferring one another (Romans 12:10), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), each esteeming others better than himself (Philippians 2:3-4), submitting yourselves one to another’.” (Ephesians 5:21).
“Humility should be sought after as the distinguishing feature of the discipleship of Jesus.”
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.”
Matthew 10:24
“Humility should be esteemed as the cardinal virtue; the only root from which the graces grow; and the one indispensable condition of fellowship with Jesus.” Humility Andrew Murray
Dear Father, our greatest need is to have the nature and disposition of Christ, the power of His love and humility poured out from heaven into vessels that you have chosen for your honor and service. We desire this sweet and lowly gentleness that is the mark of the Lamb. Enable us to relinquish all to you for the work and power of your Holy Spirit in us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2
“Pride is ours, from Adam, and rules in us with such terrible power, because it is ourself — our very nature. Humility (from Christ) must be ours in the same way; it must be our very self, our very nature. As natural and easy as it has been to be proud, it must –it will be — to be humble. The promise is, “Where,” even in the heart, “sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20)
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Proverbs 29:23
“Nothing can avail but that the new nature, in its divine humility, will be revealed in power to take the place of the old. It will become as truly our very nature as the old ever was.
“We have our life from and in Christ, as truly, even more truly, than from and in Adam.” Humility Andrew Murray
There is as much difference in pride and humility as in night and day, light and darkness — good and evil. Jesus came to make the difference in His people. The Holy Spirit is doing His work in us now in preparation for eternity with Him. There will be no pride in heaven and without it we will never get there.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name as your kingdom has come and your will is being done in the hearts and lives of your children. Let the world see what Christ does in us. Continue to grow us in the new nature that is ours in Him — for your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:8
“It is the sinner dwelling in the full light of God’s holy, redeeming love ~ in the experience of that full indwelling of divine love, which comes through Christ and the Holy Spirit ~ who cannot be anything but humble. Not to be occupied with your sin, but to be occupied with God, brings deliverance from self.”
“Have full assurance that where He is enthroned in the heart, His humility and gentleness will be one of the streams of living water that flow from within us.” Humility Andrew Murray
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39
Dear Father, by your grace, reveal your Son who humbled Himself for us. Make us to know the indwelling of your divine love so that we are no longer occupied with sin and self but with you. Make us to know the Spirit’s power of Christ’s humility and gentleness in and through us ~ for your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen
Fran
Humility is not new. In innocence and humility, our first parents were created. They depended on God and lived under His care with all their needs supplied.
UNTIL ~
In their disobedience and independence, they forfeited the relationship God had planned for them with Him. Humility was replaced by pride and occupation with self. That wonderful place of dependence upon our Creator was given up.
But Jesus came to restore us and to provide the power of humility by His Spirit. It must be His work for only He knows the place and the way. Only He can lead us out of our sinfulness to our rightful relationship with HIm.
“It is the soul led through its sinfulness to be occupied with God in His wonderful glory as God, as Creator and Redeemer, that will truly take the lowest place before Him.”
“If humility is to be our joy it must be understood apart from all sin as a covering with the very beauty and blessedness of heaven and of Jesus.”
“It is the revelation of God, not only by the law condemning sin, but by His grace delivering from it, that will make us humble. The law may break the heart with fear. But it is only grace that works that sweet humility which becomes a joy to the soul as its second nature.”
“Let us study the character of Christ until our souls are filled with the love and admiration of His humility. And let us believe that, when we are broken down under a sense of our pride, and realize our inability to cast it out, Jesus Christ Himself will give us this grace as part of His wondrous life within us.” Humility ~ the Beauty of Holiness
We must understand the life of Christ that He died to give us and know that we cannot work it in ourselves. Let us desire His humility, pray fervently, and wait in praise and thanksgiving for the promise to be fulfilled in us. Let us learn from Andrew Murray these powerful truths, meditate on them and share them with others ~ for the glory of our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ ~ and our joy in Him.
Dear Father, thank you that in Christ, we have the promise of receiving more than our first parents had. Send your Holy Spirit for conviction, bring us to repentance, faith, desire, and anticipation for what you want to do in us. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
“The mystery of grace teaches us that as we lose ourselves in the overwhelming greatness of redeeming love, humility becomes to us the consummation of everlasting blessedness and adoration.”
Let us memorize and meditate on this statement by which Murray begins his treatise on Humility. Each of these phrases should be examined separately, then added each one to the other for the understanding of the work of grace
“the mystery of grace” “lose ourselves” “the overwhelming greatness” “redeeming love” “humility becomes to us” “the consummation” “everlasting blessedness”
— the work of grace toward us and in us that effects a response. “adoration”
— the work in and through us – the fruit of His overwhelming greatness of redeeming love.
There is no mention of sin or pride in this statement. Humility is the work of grace abounding over pride.
“But where sin abounded,
grace did much more abound:”
Romans 5:20
There seems to be the thinking that “we must keep sinning if we are indeed to remain humble.”
“Others have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility. And the Christian life has suffered loss, because believers have not been distinctly guided to see that nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, so that God may be all. It has not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles us most, but grace.”
We will continue these thoughts in our next post. Today, let these two bold statements be lodged in our memory and our heart, so that they convict, and work the desire for this humility that is ours in Christ. Then, let us begin to pray fervently for this gift of His grace — with faith in His timing and His means.
Gracious Father, you keep bringing me back to this lowly position before you, to refresh my heart and memory. Keep us at the foot of the cross until we know this grace that enables us to lose ourselves in the overwhelming greatness of your redeeming love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Fran
Humility — the Beauty of Holiness (audio) by Andrew Murray became a gripping study for me over twenty years ago. In those first years, the conviction of my own need for this trait of the Christian life led me to study and memorize particular quotes. These were truths I had never heard and I began to long for this as part of my relationship and union with Christ.
In 2014, I shared for twelve months on this blog what was published in 2016 as A Broad Review of Andrew Murray’s Humility. Since then I have used my book which highlights the main points that I had memorized as a daily devotional. (A free PDF copy is available upon request.)
Why have I become so intrigued with this subject?
Because I have experienced the difference Christ’s humility has made in my life. I continue to witness of this so that others may come to this knowledge and blessing.
Humility is the least-claimed, the least-owned, and the least-known of the graces of Christ that are given to His people.
Why?
Because humility goes against the grain of all human nature. Pride is so ingrained that only a miracle — a work of the power of the Spirit of Christ — the Holy Spirit sent to transform the minds, hearts, and lives of His brethren — can we be delivered from pride and live a life of humility. This was the total of the life of our Lord and Savior and the abundant life He died to give.
It is the least-owned because it does not belong to us. It is the gift of His grace and the fruit of His Spirit — meekness –even next to the last of the fruit which is temperance (self-control).
And it does not happen overnight. As Murray teaches throughout the book, we must remember the process of all God’s work.
1. Conviction of our need.
2. Desire for the humility of Christ above all else
3. Pray diligently for His working in us.
4. Wait in expectation and live in praise to Him for what He will do in His timing.
I want to share this week and in subsequent posts the simple statements Murray used in his book that still bring me to my knees, yearning for this “above everything, seeking the holy secret of the knowledge of the nature of God as He works all.” It must be the continual indwelling of Christ within. When we fail, we are reminded to return to where we started — the heart in prayer for His working.
“It is the indwelling Christ who will live His life in us, meek and lowly. We must long for this, above everything, seeking this holy secret of the knowledge of the nature of God as He works all. We must set aside our ordinary religion to secure this, the first and chief of the marks of Christ within us.”
“And begin to praise God that there is opened up to you in Jesus a heavenly humility of which you have hardly known, and through which a heavenly blessedness (which you possibly have never yet tasted) can come into you.”
I share these blessed truths, praying for His Spirit’s conviction and blessing for us as we seek, claim, own, and know the power of His working in us — for His glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name,
Fran
A sermon may put you to sleep. It may pass over you without leaving its mark — or it may very well pierce your heart, lodge within your soul, humble you and change your life. Such was last week’s message from our pastor as he began Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount.
If you have studied Jesus’ Sermon recorded in Luke’s and Matthew’s Gospels, you may know that the word Blessed is a description of a true follower of Christ.
In the Christian language Blessed translates Happy. Jesus’ teachings were radical in His day and in ours to show by His own life and His Words that the kingdom of God begins in the hearts of those who are humbled before Him.
This sermon serves to awaken again the desire to share what I have studied and written about the subject of Humility. It has been a constant study since 2014 through Andrew Murray’s Humility ~ the Beauty of Holiness; when I posted A Broad Review of his book — a chapter every month that year.
Since then, I have been using that Broad Review, (published in 2017), with its main points, to saturate my mind, to meditate, ruminate and perpetuate the truths of God’s Word concerning the character of humility that is desperately needed in our hearts and lives. The humility of Christ within us is our blessedness and happiness.
Please watch ~ more importantly ~ listen to this sermon and visit with us this week for snippets of the reality of Humility that you may have never known or heard. May the Lord bless your week. Fran
We are blessed again to have Jim from The Domain for Truth post a special Word of Life. Thank you, Jim. You are a precious example and a great teacher of the Life we have in Christ.
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(All Bible verses are from the NASB with Strong’s definitions)
How rich is the theme that leads us to the blood of Christ – the blood of the everlasting covenant through which His people are united in Him for eternity.
There are 392 references to blood in the Bible (KJV) with meanings.
A study of the meaning of blood shows the wonderful grace of God through Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament lays the foundation. Starting with the book of Genesis, we see the early use of the term blood testifies of the seriousness of sin.
Old Testament H1818
םדָּ dâm, dawm; from H1826; blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood):—blood(-y, -guiltiness), (-thirsty), + innocent
In Genesis 4:10-11 we find what God says the blood of the innocent did after the matter with Cain murdering Abel:
“He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.
Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.“
In the Noahic covenant, God established the penalty of blood for blood.
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.” Genesis 9:6
Then there is the extended discussion in the Laws of the Old Testament about the sacrificial system which involves blood. Why is it a bloody matter?
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11
That is the Old Testament reference from Leviticus the writer of Hebrews uses:
“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22
This verse states that without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It is fitting imagery given to show blood is needed for physical life – so in the spiritual realm, the blood of Christ is needed for spiritual life.
The blood of Christ is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins; an accomplishment that is multi-faceted. We will survey some of these aspects below. We can learn much about the order of salvation from tracing the theme of the blood of Christ.
New Testament G129
αἷμα haîma, hah’-ee-mah; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:—blood.
The Blood of Christ Justifies
God is a Holy and Just Judge. In order for us to be saved from hell, Jesus Christ had to pay the penalty for our sins. Justification is to be declared legally righteous on the basis of what Christ has done. Yet Romans 5:8-9 teaches that justification is accomplished by the blood of Christ:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
Verse 8 reveals that God has shown His love to sinners. The means is stated in the second half of the verse – Christ died for us. Verse 9 unpacks this truth by revealing to us that believers have been justified by His blood. The effect of being justified by His blood means we are saved from God’s wrath and judgment. What wonder – that the blood of Christ can declare us legally righteous!
The Blood of Christ Provides Propitiation
Remember Romans 5:9 – the blood of Christ justifies us and therefore we shall be saved from the wrath of God. To appease the wrath of God against sinners, that is, to have the wrath of God against us satisfied, requires the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9). This is called the doctrine of propitiation.
Those who trust in the atoning work of Christ live in gratitude for His work of grace to and in us.
The Blood of Christ Redeems
The Bible reveals that as nonbelievers we were at one time slaves to sin.
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” Romans 6:20
In the New Testament era, the purchase of slaves by a new master was called redemption. God uses this motif to say He has paid the cost to make us His people that we may be servants of righteousness (Romans 8:6).
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7
Redemption is only through Christ’s blood. This is not because we deserved it. No – the verse makes it clear – it is because of the riches of God’s grace.
This doctrine has implications and practical application for church members.
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28
The Blood of Christ Provides Communion with God
When I say the blood of Christprovides communion with God, I mean that the blood of Christ brings us close to God.
“Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13
Verse 12 explains our condition before we became believers – we were separated and far from God. But in verse 13 we see the opposite for us as believers. How are we brought near to God?
By what means? – by the blood of Christ. Knowing what it cost should change how we view our time with God and our worship.
The Blood of Christ Sanctifies
The blood of Christalso washes us and changes us in a practical and ethical way.
“Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” Hebrews 13:12
Christ sanctifies us. That’s amazing, since Christians often think of the Holy Spirit’s sanctification. The truth is that it is both Christ and the Spirit! Yet what is the means by which Christ sanctifies us? The verse here says, through His own blood. This is associated with the crucifixion of Christ as the verse references His suffering outside the gate of Jerusalem.
This should change the way we view holiness and sanctification. It is a privilege to pursue godliness to please God and Christ in light of what Christ has done for us.
The shedding of the blood of Christis the means God has provided to save us. Tracing the theme of the blood of Christ reveals the beautiful jewels of Christ’s work of salvation. His blood has justified us, provided propitiation, redeemed us, draws us near to God, and sanctifies us in Christ, making us His – here, now, and forever.
Have you appreciated these treasured truths of the Gospel to such a point that you are motivated to serve and live for Christ? Let this be our prayer.
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even [when faced with death.”
Revelation 12:11
Humility and Death to Self
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
In 2014, I shared for twelve months on this blog what was published in 2016 as 
God's Grace ~ God's Glory! 