in my humble opinion...

So, here's the pickle I've gotten myself in.  Last week a new saying was posted on a local church sign, and I have been mulling it over, anxious to tear into the terrible/infantile theology it contained and expressed.  Thanks to my spiritual gift of procrastination, mixed with a busy week, I didn't write anything about it, opting to save it for this week.  In my e-travels over the past few days, I came across the same saying that was on the sign, and apparently it is a quote from C.S. Lewis.  Awesome.  If I agree with the saying, it goes against the primary purpose of this blog; if I don't comment on it at all, then my integrity is lacking; and if I try to dispute it, I am arguing against one of the theological giants in recent history.  I mean, who disagrees with C.S. Lewis and his giant cat?


Well, here goes...


Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less


I guess I like the simplicity of this quote and for what it is, is fairly accurate.  But I don't think it really captures what humility really is.  I understand the intent of this saying that humility thinks of and puts others ahead of yourself, but it seems that in order to truly be humble, you have to know yourself well which requires that you think of yourself more, not less.


I think that humility is the result of knowing exactly who you are (the good, the bad and the ugly), and then viewing your real self in light of who God is (the good, the better, the amazing).  If I can catch a true glimpse of the greatness and glory of God, and then see who I truly am - sinful and broken, with my only redeeming qualities being the image of God in me, and the gifts, talents and uniqueness that God has gifted me with through his grace - it is then that I can walk in true humility as one surrendered to God.


If I don't know myself well in light of who God is, I will always go toward one of two equally bad extremes - I will either think of myself as better than I really am, which is the opposite of humility, or I will think of myself as completely worthless and without purpose, completely wrapped up in self, also the opposite of humility.


Humility is living in the reality of the gospel.


When I live in this reality, I will treat others better than myself because I have nothing to prove, I already know I am accepted, and I know I am no better than anyone else because the only thing good about me is God's grace.


Here's some Bible on the topic...

Philippians 2

⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷ but made himself nothing,
   taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   and became obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!

How could Jesus release his equality with God if he never knew he had it?  Sounds like a silly question, but Jesus had to know himself well, know who his Father is, and then willingly submit to the Father.  It was in this that his humility was on display.  He lived it out throughout his life as well as he didn't say or do anything without first hearing from the Father (John 12:49-50; 14:31).  This is the perfect picture of humility.  Jesus knew who he was, knew who his Father was, and then submitted to the Father.


Next...

Romans 12
 ³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.


It seems that Paul is saying that it is right and good to know yourself well (he actually says it twice).  Think of yourself with sober judgment - know exactly who you are - the good, the bad and the ugly.


So, with all respect to Mr. Lewis, I would say that humility is not necessarily thinking of yourself less, but rather knowing yourself well, which may require thinking of yourself more and then acknowledge who you are in light of who God is.


The result will be someone who is humble, pleasant to be around and will always put others before themselves.