Dave Chanski

Christians are humble. Of course, Christians are also plagued by the sin of pride. However, if someone is truly a Christian, he will possess a degree of genuine humility and will strive to mortify pride and to increase in humility. For God Himself says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). This does not mean that He saves people on the basis of their humility, but that He indwells and communes only with those in whom He produces true humility and contrition by the work of His Holy Spirit. He does not befriend and indwell anyone who has never been humbled under the mighty hand of God. As the Scripture says, “God resists the proud” (1 Peter 5:5), and “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 16:5).

Humility is based on a right understanding of who one is before the Living God. I am a mere creature, and He is the Creator (Romans 9:20). Further, I am a sinner and He is perfect in holiness (Job 42:5-6). Many people today worry that such ideas harm our psyches and cause low self-esteem. However, it is the neglect of these notes that produces a weakened Christianity, a low regard for the work of Christ on the cross, and a lack of true humility toward fellow sinners. As a result, self-seeking, arrogance, and political maneuvering characterize too many churches. We need the humility urged by the apostle: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

The modern church’s failure to confront sin in all of its Scriptural ugliness and its adoption of the world’s emphasis on self-esteem and self-concept have greatly contributed to the decline of genuine Christian humility. We must be convinced that the death of God’s own Son was required by our wickedness, helplessness, and hatred of God if the likes of us were to be saved (Ezekiel 16:61-63). May the Lord baptize His church afresh with the spirit of John the Baptist, who said of Christ, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).