Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness

Growing Gospel Integrity #1

by Gavin Ortlund, Michael Reeves (Editor)

Cultivating Humility in a Gospel-Centered Way

There are many misconceptions about what it means to be humble. Some think that being humble means hiding your talents and abilities or being weak and inauthentic. But the Bible paints a different picture—defining humility as a self-forgetfulness leading to joy and explaining that it is a life-giving virtue that frees you from the restricting needs of your ego. 

In Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness, Gavin Ortlund encourages readers that humility is not just an abstract virtue but a mark of gospel integrity. Ortlund examines humility both on a personal level and in the context of the church, giving examples of ways to cultivate it—including meditation on the gospel and practicing intentional gratitude. Drawing from Philippians 2 and historical texts such as C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity and Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “A Christian Spirit Is a Humble Spirit,” Ortlund defines humility in light of the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ, casting a vision for a gospel-centered, humble life.

First Book in the Growing Gospel Integrity Series: Created in partnership with Union School of Theology
Written by Gavin Ortlund: Author of Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals: Why We Need Our Past to Have a Future and Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage
For Small Groups and Individual Study: Questions at the end of each chapter encourage small group discussion 

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Faith, Audiobook

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Ojai in Ojai, California. He was previously a research fellow for the Creation Project at the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of Finding the Right Hills to Die On, Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals, and Anselm's Pursuit of Joy.

Reviews

[Matt]

A gentle jolt. So helpful.

[Matt Pitts]

Highly, highly, highly recommended.

This is now my ‘go to’ book on humility. It’s brief, practical, charitable, convicting, and convincing.

[Old Dog Diogenes]

Always lots of good stuff with Gavin Ortlund. This one is very similar to The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller. How humility frees us from our egos and in doing so brings us joy.

[Daniel Ligon]

This is one of the most helpful little books I've ever read. Seriously, you should stop reading this review and go buy a copy!

Humility is perhaps the most genuine mark of a true follower of Jesus, yet one of the most rare. Many Christians with incredible gifts and talents have wrecked their testimonies and influence through a lack of humility. And conversely, the people who I respect most and who have had the most profound and lasting spiritual impact on me have all been humble men and women.

This short book (I read it in two sittings; maybe an hour total) speaks of two aspects of humility. The first half is about personal humility; the second half is about humility in the life of the church. It is an invaluable reminder and wake-up call for readers to pursue humility in every area of our lives as we seek to honor Christ.

[John]

Gavin Ortlund's "Humility" is a simple book about a challenging subject. Throughout, Ortlund wants to convince us of what a gift humility is. He encourages us that, "Humility is restorative, normalizing." He says that humility is "the key to flourishing, and life itself."

This is what I appreciated most about Ortlund's book. Humility is not some dour attribute we are to develop by pressing our nose into our own manure, but a freedom that comes when we lift our faces to the glory of Christ, the manifestation of humility.

Ortlund cuts through misconceptions and offers practical ways to build humility. He even speaks of how to cultivate humility in a social media age. He also talks about both a leader and a follower's responsibility to humility.

Ortlund leans heavily on CS Lewis, Tolkien, and Tim Keller throughout and is littered with references to Lord of the Rings. In that sense, Ortlund could have perhaps found some fresher sources. But, as a fan of those three, I enjoyed the well-worn quotes and references. I appreciated the short length, but would have loved for Ortlund's chapter on "ten practices" to have been expanded. There was a lot more that could have been mined.

I really appreciated Ortlund's "Humility" and commend it to you. We all need the reminder that, "Humility is inherently cheerful and uplifting."

[Samuel Kassing]

An encouraging book on how someone can pursue humility in the Christian life.

His chapter on envy was the most convicting for me.

[Grant Chlystun]

I love the way Ortlund writes. His exposition of scripture and use of other faithful Bible teachers helps to make his points land clearly and powerfully. Chapter two particularly felt like it was written for me and I’m thankful for gentle, pastoral correction. On embracing our moments of painful self-discovery, he writes that “In your most foolish moment, you are tenderly loved by Christ. His love for you is greater than your shame or regret. In whatever place you feel the sting of legal humiliation, in that poignant area of need—you are loved.”

Oh what a joy to be once again embraced by the Father of mercies!

[Noah Senthil]

A thoughtful little study on humility from the humblest theologian I know. He would never say this, but he’s the ideal person to write this book. This is a go-to guide you could study with a friend or hand out to a student. And it has application for personal life, church life, and digital life. It’s easy to read, but it takes time to digest.

My favorite part was when Gavin said that—in order to avoid envy—he prays for his brother Dane Ortlund’s book “Gentle and Lowly” to be so successful that every person has 5 copies and eventually they have to start shipping them to space for the aliens.

[Eliza Smith]

Found this a really helpful book outlining how the gospel defines and fuels humility. “Ultimately, humility is the result not of desperation but if comfort. It flows from a deep-seated, heartfelt awareness of the love of God”.

I found the chapter on envy most helpful. Ortland talks of envy as the constant thief of joy. Some other vices tend to produce pleasure but envy is unpleasant through and through.

“The ultimate expression of envy came in the garden of eden… there is no heaven that envy cannot make into a hell.”

One tip that i will try take into practice is to pray for blessings on those i am envious of. “The more you pray for God’s blessing on someone, the more the tentacles of envy around your heart are weakened.”

Highly recommend - also good points on humility in the church and church leadership.

[Pat]

This short book is full of such truths I needed to hear and surprising joy and rest in the Lord that will definitely listen to again and probably need to buy the book as I look at the pages of notes I’ve taken 😅 5+ stars ⭐️

[Salvador Blanco]

I'll say it again. Read everything this man writes. I read the best couple sentences on envy that I've ever read from this book. A lovely meditation on humility for your individual life and in the life of the local church.

Aquinas describes envy as "sorrow for another's good" (quoted on p. 58).

"There is no joy in your life that cannot be destroyed by envy. No matter what you have, envy can say, 'Yes, you might have X, but you don't have Y'" (60).

[Libby Valerio]

A lot of fire in a little book.

[Jonathan Roberts]

This was simply spectacular! What a perfect little book! The Lord was working on me on this and it landed perfectly for me. The first half lays out why humility is a gospel must! Then walks through what it looks like in various situations! So so good! It is a quick read but meaty and powerful! Highest recommendation

[Marian H]

Just as helpful and convicting the second time. This book makes for a good devotional.

[Brian Pate]

Gospel-saturated thoughts. Humility is "self-forgetfulness leading to joy" (xxvi).

[S B]

How we need this. Might read once every year. To remember that we actually aren't such a big deal, life isn't all about ourselves, so we can just chill out a little bit, even laugh at ourselves and be free to enjoy this life and its wonders from God. Lord help us.

“Humility opens our eyes to the wonders all around us: it is sensitivity to reality, the turning of our narrow selves to the vast ocean of externality, and ultimately to God himself. In this way, humility is, in every circumstance, the key to joy, flourishing, and life itself."

“[Pride] tends toward the gradual tuning out of everything external to the self. Humility is just the opposite: it wonderfully sharpens your attention to the vividness of what is around you, including the perspectives and thoughts of other people.”

“Since the essence of all sin is pride, the essence of all progress against sin must always be humility. Humility is the remedy to what is most deeply wrong with us.”

“Humility is more than simply one more virtue to aim at—it is to be the atmosphere and quality in which we experience all of life. Humility is not just another thing to do: it is the way we should do everything.”

[Joshua Biggs]

Read this one twice now and it’s been wonderful both times. It’s a similar read to “The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness” by Keller, but better for a small group or one-on-one study with questions at the end of each chapter.

Once again, Gavin doesn’t miss.

[Jon Merkling]

Straight fire.

[Christian Barrett]

Ortlund is an easy read, and the influence of those like Lewis come at well as he engages readers all different levels of this book is practical, pastoral, and readily applicable. The intermittent prayers throughout call readers to engage in the pursuit of holiness by actually seeking the Lord. The discussion questions allow readers to engage in conversation with others and with the self about one’s current state of humility. A helpful book for all Christian, a necessary one for those in ministry.

[Abby Weiland]

Is it cruel irony that I was deeply humbled by a book about humility?

This short book was one of the most convicting yet encouraging books I’ve read in a long time. Gavin Ortlund has a way of exposing pride gently, without leaving you discouraged. One part that especially stayed with me was his reminder that we don’t need to panic about being ordinary — or even below average. “Your value is rooted in what Christ has done for you… your happiness and welfare are not dependent on being a big deal.” That hit me hard in the best way.

A deeply grounding, grace-filled read that I know I’ll come back to again.

[Isabel Smith]

good reminder, easy read!!
“And here is a wonderful strategy: to fill our hearts so full of the gospel that this is what we want to do. How happy is this thought: to be so captivated by Christ’s love that we’d rather talk about him than ourselves. Truly there is joy in that place.”

[Collin Lewis]

Helpful. I dare say the Christian needs two things on this earth in which all other things will flow out of. Their Bible, and humility. This book is a reminder why.

[ValeReads Kyriosity]

Just gonna plow through a bunch of stuff on this topic and marinate in it without much comment. One good takeaway from this one: keep asking, "Who am I that...?"

[Gavin Harrison]

Humbling…

[Joyce Brown]

Very convicting and thought provoking. Great read.

[Joanna Brown]

So challenging.

[Celina Flores]

I enjoyed reading this book
i can only aspire to follow its teachings and reflections, makes you realize there’s joy in humility , Godly humility , gives plenty of examples and references from the bible , also experiences and personal anecdotes from the author to fully engage and validate the points its making , also it makes reference to a video (wich i loved ) i love anything that has to do with our universe , planets etc. (if the earth was a golfbal is the name of the videoby Louie Giglio)
there a part of the book where it talks about loving and respecting our Pastors and Leaders while also being real aware and validating how toxicity can infiltrate in the church , i appreciate the fact he ackowledges this and gives an honest and sympathetic reflection on this and offers solutions and steps to follow.
“Jesus is the great sufferer , the man of sorrows , no one could ever suffer more for He took on our sins and absorbed the full sting of justice on our behalf , sinking down into the dephts of hell and forsakenness , because of this He is the Perfect Friend to sufferers , He could not be better suited, or better prepared to heal your heart and meet your need . Go to Him . “
i loved this reflection on the book .

[Makinsay Billingsley]

So good! Simple, to the point, but full of depth and truth! Much to reflect on and hide in my heart! I especially liked the chapters on submission to godly authority and humility in social media engagement. Also, some of what he wrote on envy really paralleled/complimented a book I recently read on it (Seeing Green by Tilly Dillehay) so that was neat, it feels like God is really teaching me in this area which is in itself humbling LOL 😅 My husband and I really recommend Gavin Ortlund’s online ministry and now I recommend this book of his - I will revisit it, and hopefully read more from him!

[Jules]

“Humility is a whole new way of approaching life: an acceptance of our status as sinful and yet loved in the gospel, and consequently a self-forgetful, unpretentious bounce in our step that lives life to the full, embracing it as a wonderful gift from God.”

Such a wonderful, wonderful book! @Sergiu, thanks for your review that made me read it.
It is short and easy to read, yet so impactful. I feel like everybody should read it.
I actually convinced my best friend to read it after I had just finished the first few chapters : )

Gavin Ortlund has such a great way of explaining how humility is the way to true joy.
He explains it in a very practical way and without calling you to belittle yourself (just to think about yourself less. I also loved his take on how belitteling yourself isn't humble either.)

I won’t write any more of his great ideas – just read it, please!!

One short quote to end with:
“O Lord, how foolish all our pride seems when we remember the cross.”
Amen

[Jared Rasmussen]

Thought this one was going to be a lot like the one Keller wrote but it’s just another display of Ortlund wisdom! Highly recommend going through this with a small group of people and letting it sit on your heart in meditation.

“Our lives should mean nothing to us except to serve as a vehicle for his praise, glory, and renown…pursuing our own glory is pathetic and boring. But seeking the glory of Jesus Christ is the most thrilling, enthralling adventure you could ever spend your life on.”