humility. what it is .

humility , is a word that you hear people usually say in connection with the feelings of shame and unworthiness,of ignorance, and of nothingness, of which those are most deeply conscience who have been enlightened by the holy spirit as to thier true character . but as an attribute of love , humility cosists in a willingness to be known and appreciated according to our real character. we may think we are in humility when we have deep conviction of sin, and shame, of ignorance, and desert of hell , and yet still be unwilling to confess and be known as we are, and to be appreciated just according to what our real character has been and is. [ this fits with the verse" agree with your advasery while you are in the way with him..." ].But humility, considered as a virtue, consists in a willingness to be known, to confess, and to take our proper place in the scale of being.it is that peculiarity of love that wills the good of being so disinterestedly , as to will to pass for none other than we really are. this in an honest sweet and amiable feature of love. it must ,perhaps , be peculiar to those who have sinned. it is love acting under or in a certain relation, or in reference to a peculiar set of circumstances. this attribute will render confession of sin to god and man natural , and even make it a luxury . it is easy to see that , but for this attribute, the saints could not be happy in heaven. God has promised to bring to judgement every work and every secret thing, wether it be good , or wether it be evil. now while pride exists, it would greatly pain the soul to have all the character known; so that , unless this attribute really belongs to the saints , they would be ashamed at the judgement, and filled with confusion even in heaven itself. but this sweet attribute will secure them against that shame and confusion of face that would render heaven itself a hell to them . they will be perfectly willing and happy to be known and estimated according to thier characters. this attribute will secure in all saints on earth that confession of faults one to another, which is so often enjoined in the Bible. by this it is not intended that we think it wise and necessary to make confession of all thier secret sins to man . but it is intended , that they will confess to those whom they have injured , and to all to whom good will demands that they should confess. this attribute secures its possessor against spiritual pride , against ambition to get above others. it is a modest and unassuming state of mind . i have quoted this definition from charles finneys' systematic theology. i also believe this is what is lacking in ministers who teach thier assumptions, and in those who lean to thier own understanding . we all need to know that it is a great blessing to be poor in spirit and come to a place of knowing nothing , except the fellowship with the sufferings of Jesus and the power of His ressurrection. this also fits in with the scripture of being open and naked before Him , with whom we have to do , and that is the ancient of days , the alpha and omega , the bright mornign star, JESUS.