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Importance of Humility in Surrender to God's Will

The Importance of Humility in Surrender to God's Will

Humility is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, closely tied to surrendering to God's will. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, humility is "a state of mind well pleasing to God" (1 Pet. 3:4) [1]. This concept is rooted in biblical teachings, where believers are encouraged to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, as stated in 1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" [4, 5].

The biblical basis for humility is exemplified in the life of Christ, who demonstrated humility throughout his ministry. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights Christ's humility in taking on human nature, submitting to his parents, and associating with the despised [3]. This example is reinforced by Philippians 2:5-8, which describes Christ's humility in becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross.

In the context of surrender to God's will, humility involves submission to God's sovereignty and providence. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that resignation to God's will is a key aspect of Christian obedience, citing examples such as Christ's submission to God's will in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:39-44) [6]. This submission is not limited to times of ease but is also required during trials and hardships, as seen in Job's response to the loss of his children and possessions (Job 1:15-21).

The benefits of humility are numerous. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, the humble are regarded by God, heard by God, and delivered by God [2]. They are also promised exaltation in due time, as stated in 1 Peter 5:6 [4, 5]. In the view of the Puritan commentator Matthew Henry, humility is a key component of religion, leading to riches, honour, and comfort in this life, as well as spiritual riches and honour [7].

Different Christian traditions emphasize the importance of humility in surrender to God's will. The Methodist theologian Adam Clarke notes that genuine repentance involves humiliation of soul in the sight of God, leading to exaltation by God [8]. Similarly, the Baptist theologian John Gill emphasizes the need for humility in the Christian walk, citing the example of Christ and the importance of submission to God's will [9].

In the biblical text, humility is often linked with other virtues such as meekness and lowliness. According to the Protestant academic commentary on Ephesians, believers are called to walk in humility, meekness, and patience, demonstrating the importance of these virtues in the Christian life [9]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, also highlights the connection between humility and the fear of the Lord, emphasizing that true humility involves walking humbly with God [7].

The historical development of the concept of humility in Christian thought is evident in the writings of various theologians and commentators. The emphasis on humility as a key aspect of Christian obedience and surrender to God's will is a common thread throughout these sources.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  4. I Peter “I Peter 5:6 (Geneva1599) — Humble your selues therefore vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
  5. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 5:6 — Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  7. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 22:4: See here, 1. Wherein religion does very much consist - in humility and the fear of the Lord; that is, walking humbly with God. We must so reverence God's majesty and authority as to submit with all humility to the commands of his word and the disposals of his providence. We must have such low thoughts of ourselves as to behave humbly towards God and man. Where the fear of God is there will be humility. 2. What is to be gotten by it - riches, and honour, and comfort, and long life, in this world, as far as God sees good, at least spiritual riches and honour in th”
  8. James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord - In Jam 4:7 they were exhorted to submit to God; here they are exhorted to humble themselves in his sight. Submission to God's authority will precede humiliation of soul, and genuine repentance is performed as in the sight of God; for when a sinner is truly awakened to a sense of his guilt and danger, he seems to see, whithersoever he turns, the face of a justly incensed God turned against him. He shall lift you up - Mourners and penitents lay on the ground, and rolled themselves in the dust. When comforted and pardoned, th”
  9. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:2: With all lowliness and meekness,..... In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the”
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