When Jesus ""made himself nothing...taking the nature of a servant,"" He modeled for all believers true humility. Andrew Murray calls this ""our tr...
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Jan 17, 2008
Kristi
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This is a powerful book for me, and I've read it several times. Murray (a late 19th c. pastor, very Christ-centered) writes, "When I look back at my own religious experience, or on the Church of Christ in the world, I stand amazed at the thought of how little humility is sought after as the distinguishing feature of the discipleship of Jesus." This book is both convicting as to my own lack of humility and encouraging, making humility seem very enticing. Humility is "the mark of
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Mar 25, 2009
Jennifer
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This is a really amazing book about why being prideful is so terrible when we are Christians. It talks about the relationships between humility and holiness, sin, faith, death to self, happiness & exaltation. It also gives some wonderful examples about how Jesus displayed humility, as well as the examples of humility & lack of humility of his 12 disciples. There are so many important lessons here about being humble before God, but most importantly being humble in our everyday life among others.
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Jul 09, 2011
Jeremy
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Don't get me wrong. Murray is dead on when he talks about humility being the key aspect of holiness, with pride being the terrible hindrance to holiness. About halfway through I thought Murray started repeating himself and it got a little harder to focus as he talked about 'humility and ____' for several chapters.
I wish everyone would read Murray's treatise though, because humility is not only lacking in the church but in the world as a whole. As one of my (agnostic) friends say More...
I wish everyone would read Murray's treatise though, because humility is not only lacking in the church but in the world as a whole. As one of my (agnostic) friends say More...
Mar 11, 2011
Anil
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I'm sorry to have to contradict such an esteemed author but if the Bible is our authority then this book is not completely correct.
Of course, humility is a central theme of the New Testament, and we all need it but in this book Andrew Murray seems to reach his peak in what he calls 'death to self'. This is not from God. Our selves are not our enemy but death of our selves is. God's offer to us is to save our selves (our souls). We need to die to sin, not to self.
This seem More...
Of course, humility is a central theme of the New Testament, and we all need it but in this book Andrew Murray seems to reach his peak in what he calls 'death to self'. This is not from God. Our selves are not our enemy but death of our selves is. God's offer to us is to save our selves (our souls). We need to die to sin, not to self.
This seem More...
Nov 23, 2009
Lacie
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Below are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
Is it any wonder that the Christian life is so often feeble and fruitless, when the very root of the Christ life is neglected, is unknown? Is it any wonder that the joy of salvation is so little felt, when that in which Christ found it and brings it, is so little sought? Until a humility which will rest in nothing less that the end and death of self; which gives up all the honor of men as Jesus did, to seek the honor that comes fro More...
Is it any wonder that the Christian life is so often feeble and fruitless, when the very root of the Christ life is neglected, is unknown? Is it any wonder that the joy of salvation is so little felt, when that in which Christ found it and brings it, is so little sought? Until a humility which will rest in nothing less that the end and death of self; which gives up all the honor of men as Jesus did, to seek the honor that comes fro More...
Jul 29, 2011
Amanda
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"The call to humility has been too little regarded in the church because it's true nature and importance has been too little apprehended. It is not a something which we bring to God, or He bestows. It is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we truly see how God is all and which we make way for God to be all."
"In the life of earnest Christians, of those who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness."
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"In the life of earnest Christians, of those who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness."
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Jan 13, 2012
Excerpt from Chip Ingram's thoughts: This is a hard book to read, but if you persist, you will be rewarded. The premise of this book is that the beauty of holiness is humility. The Son of God, the Creator of everything that is, left the glory of heaven and the worship of angels to be born on a dirty little planet to a teenager in a smelly stable. He considered others more important than himself. Instead of insisting on what was rightfully due him—worship—he focused on the needs of others, e
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Aug 12, 2011
Jeremy
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At the beginning of my edition (Bethany House 2001, also pictured in the thumbnail), Susan Nikaido says: "This is a book to be underlined, mediated on, quoted, prayed over, and read again and again."
Don't read this book too fast--if you do, go back and think about what you've read. It's short but packed with precious nuggets of truth that deserve meditation and reflection.
My second time reading it, the words are just as challenging and piercing as when I first e More...
Don't read this book too fast--if you do, go back and think about what you've read. It's short but packed with precious nuggets of truth that deserve meditation and reflection.
My second time reading it, the words are just as challenging and piercing as when I first e More...
Jul 20, 2011
Jeff
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This book is great as long as you don't mind reading past the language of old :). It's not that bad. It is certainly written about humility though. Here is one quote near the beginning of the book that sets the tone of the rest of it: "The life God bestows is imparted not once for all, but each moment continuously, by the unceasing operation of His mighty power. Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtu
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Dec 12, 2010
John
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Humility isn't a very popular virtue these days, either inside or outside of the church. Some might even question whether it is a virtue. But the importance of humility is brought out over and over again in Scripture, especially in the New Testament. (i.e. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." 1 Peter 5:6 -- one of a multitude of Scriptures cited in this book.) I think the contemporary Christian church could use a good dose of hu
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Jan 07, 2010
Dave
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if you've kept up with my "currently reading" section, you're probably thinking, "how long does it freakin' take to read that book?!"
truthfully, not long. this isnt a big book. i just wanted to thoroughly go through it and pay attention to what Murray had to say.
and he said a LOT. this is a book that is so illuminating, that i have to tell people that its a must-read book for anyone who is born-again. you really dont understand the depths of pride in More...
truthfully, not long. this isnt a big book. i just wanted to thoroughly go through it and pay attention to what Murray had to say.
and he said a LOT. this is a book that is so illuminating, that i have to tell people that its a must-read book for anyone who is born-again. you really dont understand the depths of pride in More...
Apr 13, 2011
Josh
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An excellent challenge to give humility the central place in the Christian life it very infrequently gets. One interesting point he makes is how often pride is talked about, but how infrequently humility is talked about. I'm not sure what I thought the opposite of pride was!
One qualification: Murray teaches that humility ultimately means complete denial of self. This is a teaching Christian hedonism opposes: God never commands us to sacrifice anything, except for the end of gaining som More...
One qualification: Murray teaches that humility ultimately means complete denial of self. This is a teaching Christian hedonism opposes: God never commands us to sacrifice anything, except for the end of gaining som More...
Dec 13, 2010
Mike
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I read a version from 1896 scanned by Google. It's available for free at Google books.
The Lord used this book to open my eyes to the foundational nature of humility. I had never thought of humility as the root of all virtues.
In chapter one Murray writes, "Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue."
This book will challenge the Chr More...
The Lord used this book to open my eyes to the foundational nature of humility. I had never thought of humility as the root of all virtues.
In chapter one Murray writes, "Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue."
This book will challenge the Chr More...
Jun 13, 2011
Bob
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While this may not be the most academic, or even the most pastoral work on humility, it is a powerful read that will help people gain perspective in their Christian life.
Murray is much more biblically and theologically oriented against a more practical approach. But Murray's theology does impact how one pursues humility.
Murray's basic approach is that humility is the key to spiritual growth. Taking his example from Jesus and Paul, Murray demonstrates how their lives can b More...
Murray is much more biblically and theologically oriented against a more practical approach. But Murray's theology does impact how one pursues humility.
Murray's basic approach is that humility is the key to spiritual growth. Taking his example from Jesus and Paul, Murray demonstrates how their lives can b More...
Jun 13, 2011
Sarah
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This book gave me refreshing insight on the importance of humility in the life of a Christian. Murray explained how the incarnation, life, death on the cross, and resurrection of Jesus were all examples of the fulfillment of Christ's humility. He continued to assert that humility is the root of all of the other virtues of a Christian's life. With out humility it is impossible to display love, joy, peace, patience, and all of the other fruits of the Holy Spirit. I learned how important, basic
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Jan 17, 2010
Anita
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While I loved this book, you have to be careful reading it or you will beat yourself silly with condemnation. However, it is a refreshing reminder of the humility of Christ. It will also help change your attitude if it has been too long since you have honestly looked at your heart.
Jun 18, 2011
Jonathan
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A fairly difficult read given the vernacular of the time (about 120 years ago...) and the author's love of extremely clause laden run on sentences, the thesis is valuable nonetheless. Developed through various Biblical texts alone, Murray preaches that, "The highest glory of man is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing to be nothing in itself so that God may be all." This is humility and, in the opinion of
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Nov 29, 2011
Judith
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Written quite a while ago but SO VERY RELEVANT to our lives today as Christians. I would recommend this to EVERYONE who claims to love the Lord and who has a desire to seek Him more in their life. This book will shake you up and challenge you!
Jul 03, 2011
Wow, so far this book is completely changing the way I view my problems and the "character flaws" of others too. We are all so stinkin' proud and it is killing us. This one is going to take a long time to read/absorb.
Feb 08, 2011
Anne Marie
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Murray provides some great insights on the topic of humility and how it is the one virtue that permeates the life of Christ. He also offers practical ways to combat pride and instill humility into your daily walk.
Jun 08, 2011
Sandra
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Thanks to "my job" I read a lot of spiritual non-fiction (if that is even a category). This book was really great and uh...humbling... to say the least. I enjoyed the introspection and conviction it gave.
Mar 02, 2011
Sherri
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I have read this book multiple times ... and I get something from it every time! Almost every sentence has something powerful to say ... it is a short book but one you want to read very slowly!
Jul 05, 2011
Cheryl
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Andrew Murray is one of my favorite authors, especially on the topic of prayer. This is one of those books that I NEED to review on a regular basis. Everyone is in need of more humility...
Sep 20, 2011
Michael
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This is humility, dying to sin and self.
King James Bible James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
King James Bible James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jan 23, 2010
Madoline
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This short book really drove home humility-- placing entire dependence on God and this being the root of all actions and interactions. It felt repetitive, but such style was necessary to fully explain this idea in way that helps you better see what humility should look like in your life.
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Jan 29, 2009
Virginia
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I read this a few years ago, and it was great preparation for the season of testing that followed shortly thereafter. This is the classic on the subject.
Jan 03, 2012
Jael
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I enjoyed it very much. It is VERY deep and would require many readings for the truths in it to really sink in. My brain would shut off every once in a while from overload, so it's taken me several sittings to get through it although it's a very little book. It made me think about humility in a way I have never thought of it before and made me think of how really important it is to be nothing so God can be all. Something definitely to be working on in my walk with Him, moving from "All of m
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Jul 28, 2011
Two excellent and essential books to go back to again and again. They are simple in their concepts, yet deep in their proposal for application.
May 20, 2010
Caitlin
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This book has convicted me to pray for humility in my daily life. As a result, God has granted my prayer and continues to humble me every day.
Aug 05, 2011
A very, very good read. Definitely a book to come back to on a yearly basis! Short, sweet, and to the point.
