Holiness and humility
Friday, Feb 15, 2008
I love this thought, and I didn’t want to relegate it to the sidebar this time. John Piper writes in What Makes The Humble Happy?: “…humility is most fundamentally a trembling love for the majesty of God and secondarily a trembling sense of our sin and smallness and dependence.”
The first part is to taste and understand God’s majesty and holiness. In response, that will enable us to see ourselves in light of it: small, sinful, and dependent. (Isaiah 6) If there was one thing I wish I could say with my life, my words just given the opportunity, it would be just that. It is the gospel in a nutshell. I mean, we often think that it is a one time thing—to realize that God is holy and magnificent and we are dependent on Him. But really, we need to remember gospel everyday. It will enable us to live right, because the Christian life isn’t a one time decision at a Billy Graham rally but a daily dying to self and living for Christ. Seeing Him as holy is essential to that.
Our pop culture churches like to paint Jesus as imminent and less so transcendent. In other words, Jesus is your friend, yes, but really, he’s the King. Merging the two helps us see and worship Him as He is, and it also enables us to respond as we should. God’s people should be the most humble. If I really believe in the totally depravity of man—a fancy way of saying that we’re sinners—then where is the boasting except in Christ?
This is one reason why theology matters. Because what we believe about God drives what we believe about man. What we believe about man drives what we do about man. Ideas have consequences and all that.
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Oh if only our politicinas would realise this simple truth. Every time a new initiative is announced to tackle this problem or that one I sigh inwardly. Of course it is good that issues are being addressed, but they will never improve that much becasue we are working on mans ideas and behaviours without reference to God or respect of Him (or belief in Him). So with no concept of higher authority to obey or be humble before, people are unlikely to change…..and round we go again.
Humility is like an item of cloting we need to put on every day.I need to spend more time thinking about that than about what to put on physically.
Comment by Susanna (February 15, 2008 @ 3:47 am )
Amen.
Comment by Ruth MacCarthaigh (February 15, 2008 @ 6:01 am )
I agree.
Comment by Ruth MacCarthaigh (February 15, 2008 @ 6:02 am )
Inspiring post. I’ve just been getting way more into theology lately and really grasping how and why it affects our daily outlook on life and others and our place in human history. It’s amazing what knowledge of specific ideas and reasoning will do to move one from the “oh-we-all-just-disagree-on-little-things-probably-so-it’s-no-big-deal” to, “oh, I get it now”. It also makes you realize what is worth disagreeing about, and what should be the same for all followers of Jesus. Like humility. thanks Amy.
Comment by karyn (February 15, 2008 @ 8:55 am )
It’s amazing how much one’s beliefs and view of God influences every other thought and action!
Comment by stephaniesmommybrain (February 15, 2008 @ 12:47 pm )
I grew up being taught to finish my prayers with “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” It was a small way I learned to show respect and reverence for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When I was in college and heard some kids praying “in Jesus’ name” I would flinch a little. Only because I felt like, “wow, is He your Lord or not?” It’s not a big deal. Lots of people pray this way and I know the Lord hears their prayers just like He hears mine. But I still try to finish my prayers with this simple gesture of reverence. Yes, He’s my friend. But He’s also my Lord. I never want to forget that.
Comment by Elizabeth (February 15, 2008 @ 1:23 pm )
Oh….I totally skipped over that post the other day due to being “busy”, but I shouldn’t have! That’s SO GOOD! Thanks for posting on it! AMEN!!!!!
Comment by shawnda (February 15, 2008 @ 2:23 pm )
I’ve been regularly dialoguing with a dear friend who is currently caught up in the “emergent” movement. It’s been hard to watch her work through life issues without believing that we can really KNOW from Scripture Who God is.
My heart frequently overflows with gratitude for John Piper’s ministry.
Comment by Amy from SD (February 15, 2008 @ 5:24 pm )
Amy,
This is my first time posting on your blog. My wife is a long time reader and your exchange of ideas has blessed my family - thank you.
Your emphasis on humility in light of the gospel reminded me of the book by C.J. Mahaney entitled Humility. He proposes that we must constantly preach the gospel to ourselves in order keep our real position as a sinner in mind. It makes God’s love and sacrifice so much richer and it helps keep us from feeling entitled to anything (the gospel is a Pride antidote.) I have not mastered this and am far from where I need to be. Thanks for the encouragement in this area.
The Offensive Christian
Comment by offensive christian (February 15, 2008 @ 5:30 pm )
Interesting “coincidence” that you should mention humility on the day that God moved me to fast and pray for help in that regard. John Piper always inspires. Thank you for that quote.
Comment by Lynette (February 15, 2008 @ 5:54 pm )
Humility is a wonderful thing and something that I strive for but it is not the gospel. The gospel is not holy living, right?
Since theology is the topic……:)
Comment by Amy Faith (February 15, 2008 @ 6:46 pm )
Right, Amy Faith. The gospel is Jesus Christ crucified. It is, as I said, “The first part is to taste and understand God’s majesty and holiness. In response, that will enable us to see ourselves in light of it: small, sinful, and dependent.” I meant to convey that humility ought to be our response to the gospel every day.
Comment by Amy Scott (February 15, 2008 @ 6:52 pm )
“When we believe that we should be satisfied rather than God glorified in our worship, then we put God below ourselves as though He had been made for us rather than that we had been made for Him.”
Stephen Charnock
Enough said.
Comment by Cathy (February 15, 2008 @ 6:54 pm )
Thanks, Amy. Confusing the law and the Gospel is just something that has been on my brain lately.
Jerry Bridges says that we should preach the gospel to ourselves everyday. The gospel is never trite and it is precisely our gratitude for it that encourages Christ like traits like humility.
Comment by Amy Faith (February 15, 2008 @ 7:24 pm )
Loved this post!
Comment by Becca (February 15, 2008 @ 8:44 pm )
Good words
I tagged you for a Crazy 8s meme, if you’re interested.
Comment by hh (February 16, 2008 @ 2:38 am )
I really appreciate these thoughts, Amy. Right on. And such a good quote from Piper - I think I’ll post it on my blog so I can ruminate on it further.
Also, I was reminded of a great post by our worship pastor: http://benjaminsternke.typepad.com/benjaminsternke/2006/08/worship_transce.html
Check it out? Blessings to you!
Comment by Miriam (February 16, 2008 @ 2:39 pm )
I LOVE your blog. I decided to look for good Bible blogs today to add to my blogroll on my own Bible blog. Yours is the best one I’ve found so far (first hour of searching). I especially like how you connect the daily things that happen in your life to what the Bible teaches.
I’d be proud if you added my blog to your blogroll. I’m blogging on a specific Bible passage each day as found in my Sunday school quarterly.
Comment by Janice Green (February 16, 2008 @ 4:37 pm )
Hey Amy,
Your post reminded me of what my husband says.
“You sow a thought, you reap a deed.
You sow a deed, you reap a habit.
You sow a habit, you reap a character.”
I recommend an old and excellent book “Humility” by Andrew Murray
Thanks for your posts!
Heidi in WI
Comment by Heidi in WI (February 16, 2008 @ 10:37 pm )
Amen!! Thank you for posting this.
Have a blessed Sunday.
Gina
Comment by Gina (February 17, 2008 @ 11:07 am )
[...] Holiness and Humility from Amy’s Humble Musings. Very good. She has a wonderful way of wording truth. [...]
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