Authentic Humility

C.S. Lewis concludes about humility: "Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody.  Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him.  If you dislike him, it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.  He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all."

The proud person is terribly self-aware.  Continual working, then, on forgetting myself and remaining quietly in my present place, until God makes a change, has been and still remains my biggest assignment."

Miles Finch "Surprised by Pride" Leadership (Spring 2007), 49.

Humility.  I would say humility is the forgotten Christian virtue.  True humility is also the mark of a person who has experienced and continues to experience the touch of God in their life.  Without humility, we will not see God nor know Him well.

Why do we despise humility?  Our culture is all about self-promotion.  We are individualistic.  We are consumers who insist the market meets our demands.  Where in our Western culture does humility fit?  Nowhere.

Yet, God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5 and many places in scripture).  Is it possible that we do not know God as we wish and do not experience revival as we hope because we refuse to deal with our judgmental pride?

How do we become humble people?  I believe it is the result of experiencing God's grace that leads us to repentance and then rest through faith.  What do we need to repent of?  Our great sin is unbelief that constantly pushes us to trust ourselves- our efforts, our thoughts, our judgments, our feelings, our experiences as ultimate reality.  

Where does God fit into this picture?  Again, nowhere!

Living in light of God's presence, love and sovereignty is the beginning and end of authentic humility.  When life is lived in the presence of the King, we know we are not the King.  We value others because they are in the same boat as we are.  We are all children of the King, created in His image but fallen from our state of perfection.  We all long for restoration in Christ.  We enjoy our life and enjoy hearing about God's work in others. 

Living under the King and in His presence is right living.  It has the mark of authenticity.  In such a condition we:

Humble ourselves, under God's mighty hand so that at the proper time he may exult us, we cast all our anxieties upon him, because he cares for us.  We are sober minded and watchful knowing that the enemy of our souls is seeking to devour someone.  We resist him, standing firm in faith, knowing that our brothers and sister in faith are experiencing the same kinds of trials and sufferings.

1 Peter 5: 6-9