That Lowly Grace by G. W. Amadon

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1871

That Lowly Grace.

By G. W. Amadon

It is an observable fact in nature, that the limbs of trees heaviest loaded with fruit, hang lowest; and Jesus, in unfolding the will of God to men, says: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear MUCH FRUIT.” John 15:8. Again he addresses his disciples, “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit; and that your fruit should remain;” i. e., that it should be of a permanent character.

The true child of God, like the tree of life, bears a variety of fruit (see Rev. 22:2; Gal. 5:22, 23), and yields that fruit continually. But it is only concerning one variety (humility) that mention is now made.

Humility is defined by Webster as, “The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowness of mind; a moderate estimation of one’s own worth; a sense of one’s own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness.” This grace, in the sight of the Lord, is of great account. Strictly speaking, humility is true greatness. The humility of Jesus was perfect, and yet he understood his divine greatness. Bishop Taylor well says, “Humility is like a tree whose root, when it sets deepest in the earth, rises higher, and spreads fairer, and stands surer and longer, and every step of its descent is like a rib of iron.”

The Scriptures everywhere speak well of humility. Says David, Ps. 138:6, “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the LOWLY; but the proud he knoweth afar off.” This text shows the Lord’s great regard for a humble-minded person. Mr. Webster defines the word “lowly,” as “humble, meek, free from pride.” Jesus says, Matt. 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Precious in the Lord’s sight is the grace of meekness, and it will find its sure reward in the world to come. Of the word “meek,” Mr. Webster says, “Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; given to forbearance under injuries; gentle, yielding, patient.”

True meekness, or humility, is a very great attainment, yet both a possible and necessary one. How beautifully was this grace exemplified all through the life of Jesus, and how much happier we all should be, if in this respect we were like the heavenly Pattern. Says the divine Redeemer, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29. With what heavenly luster this grace appeared in the character of Jesus during the dark hours of his trial. Though mocked, spit upon, scourged, and insulted with every indignity that the malice of Satan could invent, he bore it all with meekness and true greatness of soul. All those who would walk in the footsteps of Jesus must have this fruit of the Spirit, as well as the others.

A little Sabbath-school scholar was once asked what meekness was, and gave this reply: “Meekness gives smooth answers to rough questions.” This, though but a child’s definition, is not far from correct. If we, like the Saviour, would “bear all things,” we must be meek. But let us be careful, as an old divine said, not to be proud of our humility. It was Bishop Law who observed that the devil is “content that we should excel in good works, provided he can make us proud of them.” Without doubt, this is the rock upon which many a one has split. Supposing themselves to be really and truly humble, they suddenly become possessed of that opposite spirit which the Lord knoweth afar off. See Ps. 138:6.

May we all be so happy as to secure the “blessings” spoken of by our Saviour in the sermon on the mount; and yet we must not forget that each one of those blessings is attached to conditions of humiliation and suffering in this world. The prophet Zephaniah, in view of the awful events connected with the finishing of the mystery of God, exhorts the church to seek meekness that they may be hid in the day of his anger.

Let us, dear readers, seek all the graces of the Holy Spirit, not forgetting humility; for, in the language of St. Bernard, “it is the guardian of all virtues.” G. W. AMADON.