p. 99 | HUMILITY by A. S. HUTCHINS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 23, 1869

HUMILITY.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

Is opposed to pride. “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off.” “For God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.” Humility consists in having low thoughts of ourselves, with a deep sense of our unworthiness in the sight of the Lord. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”

This excellent grace leads us to a consideration of our weakness, and teaches us to trust for strength and help in Him who hath said, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Humility is pleasing to God, and prepares us for receiving further degrees of fellowship with him, and blessings from his bountiful hand. “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.” By it, accompanied with the fear of the Lord, “are riches and honor and life.” And what more can we desire? Alas! for man, poor, fallen man, that his heart is so lifted up, and prone to haughtiness. Alas! that it is a characteristic of so many who profess the religion of the Man of Calvary. Oh! that we all might heed the exhortation, “Be clothed with humility.” Then might we in some small degree, in thought and deed imitate Him “who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the earth.” And in some measure should we follow the example of the blessed Saviour, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Says the apostle, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ.” Phil. ii, 5.

It is not for us to ask God to humble us, as some do. It were better, however, that we be humbled by afflictions and judgments, God's means of humbling men (Deut. viii, 2, 3; Dan. iv, 25-37) than to be destitute of humility. This is a work for us to do by divine aid. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Pet. v, 6.

By searching the sacred Scriptures, we learn that men humble themselves when they are led to a thorough consideration of their sins, a repentance of, and turning from, them, and a cheerful submission to God. Please read 2 Chron. xxxii, 26; xxxiii, 12; xxxiv, 27; Jonah iii. With such humility God is well pleased.

“For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. lvii, 15.

Dear brethren and sisters, may we be able to repent of all our sins. May not one be left unconfessed and forsaken, to shut us from the favor and presence of God—to forever close the golden gates of the New Jerusalem against us. Those gates will open to the righteous nation, to those who keep the commandments of God. To be commandment-keepers, we must keep them all; but we are commandment-breakers if we break but one.

Oh! then, may we not fail to obey God in all things; may we not lose the crown of life; may we not lose the privilege of sitting with Jesus on his throne of unending glory, of seeing all the redeemed saints, and mingling our voices with theirs in the song of endless joy. Oh, enrapturing thought! Oh, soul-supporting hope! Can we be there? Shall we be there to suffer and die no more? Shall we meet all the blood-washed throng, to live and reign with them forever and ever? Yes, weary pilgrim, we may. Praise God! Then let us hope on, let us toil on and suffer on, till the Master come.

A. S. HUTCHINS.