(J. C. Philpot, "New Years' Address, 1857")
Pride, self-conceit, and self-exaltation, are both the chief temptations, and the main besetting sins, of those who occupy any public position in the church.
Therefore, where these sins are not mortified by the Spirit, and subdued by His grace; instead of being, as they should be, the humblest of men; they are, with rare exceptions, the proudest.
Did we bear in constant remembrance our slips, falls, and grievous backslidings; and had we, with all this, a believing sight of the holiness and purity of God, of the sufferings and sorrows of His dear Son, and what it cost Him to redeem us from the lowest hell; we would be, we must be clothed with humility; and would, under feelings of the deepest self-abasement, take the lowest place among the family of God, as the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all the saints.
This should be the feeling of every child of God.
Until this pride is in some measure crucified, until we hate it, and hate ourselves for it, the glory of God will not be our main object.
Pride, self-conceit, and self-exaltation, are both the chief temptations, and the main besetting sins, of those who occupy any public position in the church.
Therefore, where these sins are not mortified by the Spirit, and subdued by His grace; instead of being, as they should be, the humblest of men; they are, with rare exceptions, the proudest.
Did we bear in constant remembrance our slips, falls, and grievous backslidings; and had we, with all this, a believing sight of the holiness and purity of God, of the sufferings and sorrows of His dear Son, and what it cost Him to redeem us from the lowest hell; we would be, we must be clothed with humility; and would, under feelings of the deepest self-abasement, take the lowest place among the family of God, as the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all the saints.
This should be the feeling of every child of God.
Until this pride is in some measure crucified, until we hate it, and hate ourselves for it, the glory of God will not be our main object.
So true! Sometimes I feel like vomitting when I over heard what pastors discussed amongst themselves. They are so cleverly putting up a holy front telling the church to follow them instead of pointing them to Christ! May God have mercy on the church and not these hirelings!
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