This is the only way to become like Jesus

We have been called and elected, before the world was made, to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29.) For this to happen, absolute humility is required.

We are compared to clay in the potter’s hand. If the clay is soft and pliable, it is easy for the potter to make a fine vessel from the clay; but if it is hard it breaks, and he cannot make the vessel he intended. Instead, he has to remold the clay and make it into a lesser vessel. This is also how it goes with us. The humbler we are, the better God can work with us and mold us according to His own image—from glory to glory. He will then be able to make us into vessels for His honor in a relatively short time, sanctified and useful for the Master and prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21.)

The only way to be conformed to the image of His Son!

However, the less humble we are, the more difficult it is for Him to work with us, and we become like hard clay that constantly breaks in His hand. Then it will take a long time before He can make anything out of us. If we are totally unyielding, He will have to make us into vessels of dishonor instead of vessels of honor. Humility is therefore the easiest, shortest, in fact the only way to all future progress and sanctification.

Jesus Christ, who is perfection personified, is an example to us of humility, as He is in everything else. He always beheld the Father and did His will in all things. We can learn true humility from Him. We also must always submit to God’s will in all things and humble ourselves under His mighty hand, so that He can exalt us in due time. All things are in His mighty hand, which is stretched out for salvation all day long. Everything He sends our way is intended for us to be conformed to the image of His Son.

However, He can only do this if we are humble in all situations, because God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud. It is not good to be a wretched man if He, the living God, resists us. We do not get anywhere without humility. The way of the humble man is strewn with blessings. He can look into the future and say with David, “Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6.

This article has been translated from Norwegian and was first published in BCC’s periodical Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) in December 1930, under the title “Humility.”
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