Christian Dignity

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 20, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 47.

Christian Dignity

Dignity, according to Webster, means: “the state of being worthy or honorable: elevation of mind or character; honorableness; nobility of sentiment and action; true worth.” But this true meaning of the word has been extensively perverted to the idea that it is synonymous with the holding of some elevated position. Thus some very undignified people are deceived by the imagination that dignity ought to be ascribed to them because of their position. Christian dignity consists mainly in humbleness of mind. Christ was the personification of true dignity; yet the mind that was in Him is described by the statement that “being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself.” Moses was a man of true dignity, and it is said of him that he “was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” We have no record that Christ or Moses tried to make people look up to them because of their positions. They held very high offices in the work of God, and the honor of their positions was frequently assailed by ignorant and vicious men, but they never sought to enforce respect. They left all that to the Lord. They acted on the principle that “he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” They manifested true dignity of character, and the Lord took care of the dignity of their positions. The man who manifests a great anxiety about the dignity of his position is simply concerned about himself; he lacks the true dignity that deserves respect. He never can wield an influence for good. Respect for those who have charge of any work never can be enforced. True dignity wins the respect of those who possess dignity. It is only physical power that can, and only a love of self that would, enforce respect, and such respect never can be anything but the barest formality, inoperative out of sight.