337. 1PE 5:5. HUMILITY
1Pe_5:5. Humility
"Be clothed with humility."’971Pe_5:5.
The chief ingredient in the first sin ever committed on earth, was pride. Our first parents, aspiring to be gods, fell into crime, degradation, and misery. Pride is one of the most universally prevalent sins of humanity. All persons are in danger of its deadly influences; and few persons are entirely free from it. There is no remedy for it but the grace of God. And to deliver the soul from it is about the last thing that divine grace effects. Yet, it must be eradicated entirely, before we can be fit to die, or fit for heaven. There is nothing more offensive to God, or more injurious to the soul. The word of God is full and expressive on this subject. With the lowly God will dwell, and to such he will look. "Whosoever exalteth himself," &c. As the elect of God, put on humbleness of mind. "Be clothed," &c. Notice,
I. The Christian Virtue recommended.
II. The Extent to which it must be possessed.
III. The Motives by which it may be enforced.
IV. The Means by which it may be attained.
I. The Christian Virtue recommended.
"Humility." Every virtue and grace have their counterfeits, so that we must examine narrowly to distinguish between that which is real, and that which is not. The apostle speaks of a voluntary humility, Col_2:18. There is often displayed an affected humility’97a pretended self-degradation, merely designed to obtain the good opinions of men, which is, in fact, the worst kind of pride. Humility consists in low and abased views of ourselves, and our attainments. The humble man will feel,
1. The native unworthiness of his own state and character.
2. He will feel the imperfections of all his attainments.
3. He will be conscious of his moral weakness and defects; and he will lament and confess them.
4. He will entirely depend upon divine grace, and give all honor and glory to God.
Let us notice,
II. The Extent to which it must be possessed.
"Be clothed." It is to be our garment and to cover us all over.
1. Our experience must be clothed with it.
Whatever we may be in our Christian experience, we shall have great need of humility. If better than we once were, it is all owing to God’s grace. If there is much to look upon with pleasure; yet what defects, what unworthiness, what barrenness!
2. It should clothe our profession.
Religion must be professed boldly, cheerfully, yet humbly. Beware, lest we profess ourselves, &c., instead of Christ. How careful Paul was to exalt Christ, and abase himself! A self-confident profession of religion will disgust the observer.
3. It must clothe our religious exercises.
When we draw near to God in any religious duty, we must do it with great humility of soul. In reading the word. In hearing the gospel. In praise. In prayer.
4. It must clothe all our duties, and labors in the cause of God.
We cannot fulfil any office acceptably without humility. Pride, like the plague spot, will taint every thing, and render every thing loathsome to God. This garment must cover us all over. The creature must be concealed, and Christ displayed. "Not I, but the grace of God that is in me." Our life must be hid with Christ in God.
5. It must clothe all ages and classes of Christians.
The young and the aged. The poor and the rich. The illiterate and the wise. The member, the deacon, and minister. All are addressed. "Be clothed," &c. Consider,
III. The Motives by which it may be enforced.
1. It will render us well-pleasing to God "Though the Lord be high," &c. "Every one that is proud," &c.
2. It will greatly tend to our Christian fruitfulness.
Humility is the rich and fertile vale watered by the streams of the river of God.
3. It will abundantly promote our happiness.
Save us from a thousand mortifications Secure the constant presence of God. See Isa_57:15.
4. It will be an effectual preservative against apostacy.
Pro_16:18. "God will abase the proud," &c. Peter’s fall was occasioned greatly by this.
5. It will work within us a meetness for the heavenly state.
None but the humble shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Heaven, the region of humility. "Blessed are the poor in spirit," &c. "Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child," &c. Not a proud look, or thought, can enter there. Consider, then,
IV. The Means by which it may be attained.
1. An intimate knowledge of our own hearts.
What is there to be proud of, &c.
2. An acquaintance with the models of humility placed before us, in the word of God.
Abraham. "Dust and ashes." Jacob. "I am not worthy." Gen_32:9. David. 1Ch_29:4. Job. "Behold I am vile." Paul. "I know that in me," &c.
3. Daily contemplation of the meek and lowly Jesus. Php_2:6, Php_2:7.
4. Fervent and constant prayer to God for his humbling grace.
Much prayer will necessarily tend to make us humble. God alone can keep our hearts low before him.
Application
1. Let the subject lead to self-examination.
2. To renewed repentance and confession.
3. To resignation, self-humiliation, and prayer.
4. Let the sinner humble himself before God, and seek mercy.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS