The theme of humility is indeed profound and recurrent throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God’s heart towards those who adopt a humble stance. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” This captures the essence of God’s disposition towards humility versus pride.

In the context of salvation, it is by grace through faith that one is saved, not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be earned by our actions, including acts of humility. However, humility is a characteristic of those who recognize their need for God, which is a pivotal step in accepting the gift of salvation. Jesus highlighted the value of humility in salvation when He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

This indicates that humility, which involves recognizing one’s own spiritual poverty and need for God’s grace, is crucial in the kingdom of God. It’s not that only humble people are saved, but that a humble heart is more open to accepting the gift of salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ.

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus contrasts the prayer of a Pharisee, who proudly lists his righteous deeds, with that of a tax collector, who humbly acknowledges his sinfulness and pleads for mercy. Jesus concludes that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified before God, illustrating that God’s grace is drawn to humility rather than self-righteousness.

Therefore, while humility itself is not the means of salvation, it is a posture that aligns with the recognition of one’s need for the grace that brings salvation.