Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (Updated and Annotated)

This is a book to read slowly and prayerfully. As Murray contends, most do not take this virtue seriously enough, nor understand the incredible ramifications of its lack upon their genuine holiness.The first step in humility is to realize our place as a created being before the Creator. A continual and intentional reminding of who we are and our need for God is our first duty as Christians. “Pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil.”The life and teachings of Jesus provide us with much instruction about the importance of humility: “Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us sharers in it, and by it, to save us. In heaven, He humbled Himself to become man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, and He brought it, from there.”Humility is the root of all of the graces of the Christian life, and pride the opposite: “Without humility, there is no faith, love, joy, or strength demonstrated in our lives. Humility is the only soil in which the graces take root; the lack of humility is the reasonable explanation for every defect and failure in the Christian life.”Humility is extremely practical. Murray says, “May God teach us that our thoughts, words, and feelings concerning our fellow man are His test of our humility towards Him.” Humility = practical holiness.A humble heart depends continually upon the grace of God, that attitude of heart that replaces pride. Humility comes only by grace through faith in prayer.A slow reading of this book will be an instrument of God’s Spirit to humble your soul as it did mine.

Humility is not a virtue widely promoted in contemporary culture. In fact, it’s one of the traditional virtues largely dismissed today, in this age of constant selfies, self-promotion on social media, and the near-compulsion to the experience celebrity. Even in the church, we turn our pastors into rock stars, promote ourselves by writing books guaranteed to invite controversy and attention, and read more Christian celebrity self-help books than we do the Bible.Whether we’re Christian or not, humble we’re not.To read “Humility: The Beauty of Holiness” by writer, teacher, and pastor Andrew Murray (1828-1917) is, in a very real sense, to enter an alien landscape.Murray, the son of a Dutch Reformed minister and missionary, was born in South Africa, educated in Scotland, became a missionary and pastor himself in South Africa, and authored more than 240 books on faith, theology, and Christian living. He lived during the century of Darwin, Marx, and Freud, the triumvirate of thinkers who many believe permanently closed the book on the Christian faith. And yet he remained steadfast in his belief, and wrote book after book to encourage others in the faith.“Humility” was one of those books. It’s a series of meditations on the subject (this edition is updated with modern English), and draws heavily from the Bible. And this is how Murray summarizes the framework of humility: “The creature must accept that its main concern, its best asset, its only happiness, now and through all eternity, is to present itself an empty vessel in which God can dwell and demonstrate His power and goodness.” The creature Murray is referring to is the human creature.Our best attribute is being an empty vessel?Murray goes on to use the filter of human humility to reflect upon the secret of redemption, the humanity of Jesus, the teaching and disciples of Jesus, humility in daily life, holiness, sin, faith, death to self, happiness, and exaltation. He goes about his writing quietly and gently, but with a steadfast purpose – to help us understand why humility may be one of the most, if not the most, important characteristic of a Christian.“Humility” may be the most countercultural book I’ve read in years.

I have read several books by Andrew Murray and loved them, but for some reason I just didn't feel that I got all I should from this one. It is probably the fault of myself and not the fault of the book, but it felt like we were going around in circles. Humble yourself, and God will give you humility. We can't gain humility ourselves, but to get humility, we have to humble ourselves. The description of what humility is and the explanation of the importance of humility resonated with me. I just got lost when it came to how we are to get humility.

This is one of my favorite books and I recomend it whole heartedly to anyone who is on their spiritual journey. This book really helped me see the importance of God being the main force in my life. It really helps you shed some limiting religious views and approach people and situations with grace and meekness. Still processing all of the savory goodness in this book months later. Will go back and read over in the future and give to my kids someday.

I give this book 5 stars! Important teaching that is sadly missing from our churches today. Humility is the key to a true relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It's at the base of character. The author emphasizes how important humility is in our order to have a fruitful Christian walk.

This is an excellent e-version of this book. Many others were listed on the site that had reviews stating the e-version had mistakes, this one does not and comes at a good price. This is deep reading and I have been taking it slow, highlighting many passages, and finding this topic one that I struggle with. I will re-visit my kindle highlights and spend some time contemplating the passages for further understanding. Learned of this book through the Joyce Meyer Podcast. Humility is a word you don't often hear but envisioning Jesus washing the disciple's feet brings it all home for me.

A change of perspective is to see the light of humility instead of the darkness of pride is one understanding I received from this book. Being in a state of humbleness toward all others is written:" ....do not think to highly of yourself..." , is also expressed. I read this book and I am about to read it again, along with the Bible, because I too believe in the humility that Jesus lived, when He was obedient to death, took off His majesty to be a man, and so many other examples.

This book is tough but powerful. It challenges you all the way through but oh to be more like Jesus.

This book has impacted my spiritual life; I have gained understanding of what true humility is. Have been tested on some of the things written in this book. I hope to put them to work by GOD’s grace.

Fantastic pure depth and full of scripture and biblical truthChallenging for period of time and relevant todayBreathes life and spiritNo modern day waffle

I think anyone who has struggled with pride will find this the absolutely best book on the subject of humility, and especially the whys and hows to overcome. It changed my life.

Good Read