Jerry Bridges - The Blessing of Humility

When I read my first Jerry Bridges book twenty years ago, I had the sense that every paragraph had been pondered, prayed over, and carefully prepared. Each ensuing book has led me to the same conclusion. The writings of Jerry Bridges are a gift to the church. In this new book, he addresses a relevant topic with the wisdom of a scholar and the heart of a servant.

MAX LUCADO

Pastor and bestselling author

Jerry Bridges helps us remember that the starting point of true humility is a deep understanding of who God is. The more we know Him, the more we can know our true selves. This exploration of humility is humbling because it will help you see God more clearly.

KYLE IDLEMAN

Bestselling author and pastor, Southeast Christian Church

The Blessing of Humility gives us Jerry Bridges at his best: a lifetime of prayer and meditation on Jesus first and definitive sermon that frames a life lived in the Kingdom of God under conditions exclusively characterized (eight times!) by blessings.

EUGENE PETERSON

Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C.

For many, the Beatitudes are beautiful but remote. They hold poetic images but dont really seem relevant for life. Throughout this wonderful book, Jerry Bridges shows us the grace thats found when we walk humbly with Christ and the joy that comes from resting in His finished work on the cross. Finally, someone humble wrote a book on humility.

C.J. MAHANEY

Author of Humility and True Greatness

Jerry Bridges masterfully helps us not just understand but also enter into living out the countercultural Beatitudes of Jesus. Jerry does this by removing the idea that it cannot be done, by dispelling the myths associated with how it might be done, and most of all by reminding us that when it is done, its done through the work of Gods Spirit in our lives. Its not just a message on humility; it speaks of a person who is humbly living out the message that he has put to paper.

TOM HUGHES

Lead pastor of Christian Assembly, Los Angeles, and author of Curious

I love Bridgess concept of dependent responsibility. Throughout the book, he shows that there are things we must do. It is our responsibility, for example, to walk in humility. But we must depend on the work and power of the Holy Spirit. As we grow, we become more aware that it is always Him.

RICHARD DOSTER

Editor, byFaith magazine

Pride is not only a problem for the chest-pounding athlete but for the gentle Christian who views the people of the world as his enemies. For most of us, the cancer of pride remains hidden and undetected. Like a skilled physician, Jerry Bridges uses Gods Word to expose it. Yet, also like a skilled physician, Jerry not only exposes the disease but also applies the balm of the gospel to promote healing and genuine spiritual growth. This book is for everyone who doesnt think he needs it.

MARK BATES

Senior pastor, Village Seven Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs

This is a Bible-saturated, theologically precise, and gospel-framed devotional book for those seeking more of Jesus and less of self in their lives.

FELIPE ASSIS

Senior pastor, Crossbridge Miami

NavPress is the publishing ministry of The Navigators, an international Christian organization and leader in personal spiritual development. NavPress is committed to helping people grow spiritually and enjoy lives of meaning and hope through personal and group resources that are biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical.

For a free catalog go to www.NavPress.com.

The Blessing of Humility: Walk within Your Calling

Copyright 2016 by Jerry Bridges. All rights reserved.

A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

NAVPRESS and the NAVPRESS logo are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO. TYNDALE is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Absence of in connection with marks of NavPress or other parties does not indicate an absence of registration of those marks.

Designed by Julie Chen

The Team:

Don Pape, Publisher

David Zimmerman, Acquiring Editor

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bridges, Jerry, author.

Title: The blessing of humility : walk within your calling / Jerry Bridges.

Description: Colorado Springs : NavPress, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016003093| ISBN 9781631466236 | ISBN 9781631466243 (e-pub)

| ISBN 9781631466250 (kindle)

Subjects: LCSH: Humility Religious aspects Christianity. | Humility Biblical teaching. | Beatitudes.

Classification: LCC BV4647.H8 B75 2016 | DDC 241/.4--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016003093

Build: 2016-03-23 15:52:49

To our Lord Jesus Christ

Who expressed the ultimate act of humility

By shedding His blood on the cross for our sins.

Then I heard the voice of myriads of angels

Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!

REVELATION 5:12

A NOTE TO THE READER

This book can be read completely in about two hours or less. You may want to do that to get an overview of the book

However, the real value of this book will come as you then read each chapter reflectively and prayerfully. Ask God to help you see yourself as you really are in the light of each of the character traits covered in the eight Beatitudes. And then ask God to help you grow in the areas where you see yourself to be most needy.

INTRODUCTION

The character trait of humility is the second-most frequently taught trait in the New Testament, second only to love. At one time I counted fifty instances of love taught, either by precept or example, in the New Testament; I counted forty instances of humility. I regard these two traits as the foundational stones of Christian character. All other character traits, in one way or another, are built upon love and humility.

Yet we so seldom hear any message or read any books on these two subjects. I think this is because they are so intimidating to us. Any honest Bible teacher, whether in speaking or in writing, realizes how far short he or she comes to exemplifying either of these character traits, so there is a reluctance to teach on a subject where one has made so little progress. For years I was hesitant to teach on 1 Corinthians 13, the great love chapter, and I felt an even greater hesitancy to write on humility, lest I appear to be saying, I am a humble person.

I eventually learned that the job of Bible teachers is to point to Scripture, not to ourselves. We can do this with love because we can point to 1 Corinthians 13 and say, This is what love looks like in everyday life. But until recently I could never point to a single passage of Scripture and say, This is what humility looks like.