Humility: Have You Reflected God's Image?

You may already understand the picture of God's humility. You know His example in this by heart: God became man, was born in a sheep stable and became a carpenter's son. His struggle in the crucifixion, how He did not retaliate when He was slandered, reviled, and persecuted, even though He is God. Above all, His death to redeem human sin, even though He was innocent.

The question is, what about you? Have you, who were created according to God's image itself, reflected His humility?

The True Image of Humility

Andrew Murray, in his book Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness, says that our humility toward others is the only proof of our humility before God.

It is easy for us to come before God humbly in prayer or worship. With a broken spirit, we come to Him, humbling ourselves as low as possible to ask for guidance and His help. However, situations like this do not show our true humility.

Be completely humble and gentle, and be patient. Show your love by helping one another. – Ephesians 4:2 

The test of humility truly comes when you are dealing with other people. Not only with people who think like you, who understand you, or friends within the congregation.

That test comes in the form of: How do you treat someone who has hurt your heart? Facing a coworker who gets promoted faster than you, or a coworker who is annoying? What is your response when someone you trust or love says something that leaves you disappointed? Or, how do you react when someone says bad things about you behind your back?

Your humility must be seen in the way you relate to family members, coworkers, as well as brothers and sisters in the congregation. Not only with people who are kind to you and love you as you love them.

So, how can you have humility according to God's image?

Not Justifying Yourself

Then He said to them: "You justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is admired by men is detested by God. – Luke 16:15 

A self-justifying attitude is in fact not justified by God. You may understand that God hates sexual immorality, adultery, and murder, but do you know that He also hates people who like to justify themselves?

Jesus has become the model of the image of God Himself. When Jesus was arrested and tried before the religious court, a number of slanders and false accusations were hurled at Him (Matthew 26-59-63). Even so, not one sentence He spoke was a defense of Himself.

Having humility like the image of God means putting an end to the self-justification you have been doing all this time. If becoming a Christian actually makes you justify yourself more and more, then you are missing the meaning and message of the cross in your life.

Do you often feel that you are better than others? "Ah, at least I am not a hypocrite; I am being myself." Or, do you often point out the weaknesses or mistakes of someone, and then look down on that person? "God, thank You. At least I am not like him...."

If you are serious about humility, you must also be serious about ending self-justification.

I personally once learned a lesson about this. One time, I had a difference of opinion with someone. I interpreted the situation as a sign that this person did not know me well, so he said something that did not reflect my true character. That he had judged me wrongly and also did not understand what was in my heart.

Without realizing it, I had looked down on that person in my heart. Every time I crossed paths with him, this thought would always arise. Over time, I realized that this was not the thought God desired. Regardless of who was wrong in this matter, I decided to choose the right attitude of heart in the way I viewed others.

Throughout life, we will always be faced with situations that challenge us to justify ourselves. So, we need to learn to be more sensitive to the symptoms of pride that we often unconsciously have. Rather than being busy justifying ourselves, it is better for us to regularly examine ourselves.

Quick to Forgive

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another, and forgive one another if anyone holds a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:12-13

Humility and being quick to forgive are like two sides of a coin. A person who is quick to forgive surely has humility. Likewise, a person who is humble will certainly be quick to forgive others.

Your humility must come from the awareness that your sins which are so many have been forgiven and redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. If not for His sacrifice, you would still be sinful, losing your relationship with God, and continuing on toward destruction. You have been redeemed, not because of your deeds or your kindness, but because of His mercy and grace.

Who are you, that you cannot forgive someone who has wronged you, while God Himself is willing to forgive that person? By not forgiving, have you not become proud and arrogant?

Do not replace the image of God's humility with the image of hardness of heart that refuses to forgive. Let us put off every thought and deed that does not represent God's image in our lives, and present yourselves as a reflection of His glory. Amen!

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Reference: Andrew Murray. Humility: The Journey Toward Holiness (Michigan: Bethany House Publishers, 2001).

Related Articles:

• What Kind of Heart Does God Want?
• How Do We See Ourselves According to God's Image?
• Cast Off Envy, the Obstacle to Life's Progress
• Do Not Take a Selfish Nature Lightly

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