purge me from vain-glory

“And be clothed with humility.” 1 Peter 5:5

Pride cannot thrive at the foot of the cross. Only humility grows there.

At the cross,

repentance sheds the contrite tear,

faith sees the great atonement,

and love grows with an earnest desire toward the Friend of sinners.

Pride, however, revives the further we move from Calvary's tree. Man, by nature, is a proud and selfish thing.

We often put on the shroud of humility, but pride's face peeks through the veil. It's only when the Holy Spirit touches us with His creative power, through the everlasting Gospel, that pride follows meekness. Where the lion follows the Lamb. Walking beside Him, we learn of Him, who is meek and lowly of heart. (Matt. 11:29) We are changed after His likeness. Alongside Him, we learn patience in love, tenderness in words, and gentleness by strength. There we learn that God resists the proud, and the rich He sends empty away. (Luk. 1:53) How beautiful, then, the appeal of Peter is; "Be clothed with humility."

We talk much about the garment of humility but rarely put it on. Humility must be put on in private before being worn in public. We must first enter the closet, where the Spirit clothes the soul in Christ apparel. (Matt. 6:6) Can you seriously be proud while looking at the dying Savior? Can there be an ounce of arrogance when gazing at the sight of your own Substitute?

I must close my lips. I look carefully at the cross's shadow. That's my outline, I see. And He who hangs upon it is wearing my filthy garments. (Gal. 2:20)

My pride,

my self-righteousness,

my guilt, and shame.

I need to see this…not once, but day by day. Hour by hour.

Suddenly, "And be clothed with humility" is easier done. But not until then.

There's a treasure box of gospel promises laid up for humble souls. In His first sermon, the Lord's first promise was to them, to the 'poor in spirit.' (Matt. 5:3)

He fills the hungry with good things.

He dwells in the lowly heart.

He blesses the meek with salvation in every conceivable way.

The scriptures are filled with exquisite privileges for humble souls alone. And we dip into them - may we plunge! - and jump out of them, according to our Christlikeness.

Oh, that the Holy Spirit (without Whom nothing is real, nothing is pure) would open our eyes to see the wonders of Christ's humility. That He would awaken our sleepy souls to feel His humbling Hand leading us in lowliness. That He would empty every self-exalting thought, opposing His free course in us. Lord, purge from us the subtle influence of vain-glory.