Humility of The Christ Path

Sep 29, 2024

As I’ve mentioned in my testimony, one of the main reasons I decided to solely follow Jesus was because of how thoroughly narcissism—understood in a general sense, not the DSM-5 definition—was confronted and addressed.

Sure, all major faiths have their way of addressing narcissism, but to me, Christianity’s system felt to be the most far-reaching. It seemed to have a profound grasp on the concept of humility.

Works Vs Grace

Most all major religious systems emphasize works, which appeals to pride by placing the burden of salvation or enlightenment on human achievement. For the Buddhist that is not Pure Land, it could be about the time dedicated to sitting meditation or how strictly one follows the Eightfold Path. For the Muslim, it may involve earning Allah’s favor through good deeds and observing the Five Pillars. For the New Ager or occultist, it might include practices like manifestation, reading astrology charts, or energy healing. Even for the Jewish believer, it might focus on how precisely one adheres to the written law of the Torah and the traditions of the Talmud.

But Christianity is different. Works are not the driving force for salvation or actualization. God’s grace, accessed through faith, is the driving force. This idea undermines pride since it’s about God foremost who transforms the believers’ hearts through humility, gratitude, and dependance on grace. Curiously, the same idea is applied to the movement art of Butoh when it is said that the dancer is not doing but being-done-to. In a Jesus follower’s case, it is a being-done-to by God.

But of course, Christians are not immune to this temptation of putting works over grace. In doing so, they place themselves far away from Jesus. Getting lost in empty ritual—simply attending regular church services, putting money in the basket, or going through 20 rounds of rosary—does not in itself earn God’s favor.

What About The Eastern Faiths’ “No-Self?”

The Buddhist or Advaita Vedantist’s pursuit of “no-self” may initially seem like the ultimate expression of humility, but it can be interpreted as a form of veiled narcissism when viewed through the lens of self-effort, mastery, and personal transcendence. The desire to dissolve into the “everything” can paradoxically elevate the individual to a god-like status, where the self seeks ultimate control or dominance over its own existence by merging with an impersonal force.

In contrast, Christianity preserves individuality while emphasizing humility, grace, and dependence on God. The self is not something to be obliterated but something to be redeemed and restored in a loving relationship with God. Christians do not seek to become God or dissolve into a cosmic oneness. They instead embrace their role as God’s beloved children, humbly serving and loving Him in response to His grace. This fundamentally shifts the focus from ego-centric spiritual achievement to God-centric transformation.

True Christianity is Grounded in Humility

The Bible is filled with stories that teach lessons about hubris: the Fall of Lucifer, Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride and Fall, the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and the Tower of Babel. While it’s true that some Christians may not embody humility in practice, this does not diminish the fact that the concept of humility is central to the message of the word itself.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.