Humility

The Incarnation is a revelation of Supreme Condescension . “Who, being in the form of God, counted not equality with God a thing to be retained as a prize, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man; and being found in fashion as a man He humbled Himself.”

Humility of mind, heart, and soul is one of the fundamental requirements of true Christianity. Augustine was asked: “What is the first step to heaven?” He answered: “Humility.” “And the second step?” “Humility.” “And the third?” “Humility.” Humility has been well defined by Caroline Fry, in her invaluable little book Christ our Example, as “unconscious self-forgetfulness.” Mark the force and depth in that thought of the unconsciousness of our humility, for conscious humility is none other than the most terrible form of pride. The servant of God who realises most fully what His Master did in becoming incarnate will ever remember that unconscious self-effacement is the one great requisite of all true work for God. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”