My Lord and my Saviour,
I kneel and confess. I am foolish, without a shred of wisdom, because I chase after this world and succumb to the desires of my flesh. I allow my eyes to covet and fall into the deepest pits chasing blindly after possessions that I believe (ardently) give me the utmost of pride.
I am unable to throw away my pride. I clamour to it stubbornly from force of habit, afraid to lose it lest I have nothing to my name. I lie, to others and to myself. I refuse to listen to others believing in my non-existent superiority and wisdom.
I speak because I am arrogant.
I stay silent because I am arrogant.
I have absolutely nothing to my name to be able to go to you and ask for reconciliation. I instead want to work for you, to do works for you, because I an so unworthy. Yet still this is borne of the remnants of my pride, believing that whatever I do is worth a fraction of your grace.
But you see me coming from afar and run to embrace me. You sent your sinless Son in the flesh to be flogged, pierced, spat on, verbally abused, physically abused, and to be crucified, all to bear the entire weight of your wrath. And then you revealed the incredible mystery of your grace to us with the resurrection. I die and am raised again with Christ. I now am considered righteous only because of your love and nothing else.
Any reason I have to be proud falls to pieces. I am unable to fathom the depth of your love.
"What this brother wrote is simply, quite wonderful and altogether encouraging.
CJ Mahaney writes in his book, Humility, “Why does God hate pride so passionately? Here’s why: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of GOd and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.”
If only we used our words and prayers more to encourage others.
This is something I am guilty of, and need to learn from.
In his 1741 publication ‘The Distinguishing Marks of a work of the Spirit of God’ based on 1 John 4:
1. Jesus is exalted in the revival (1 John 4:2-3 c.f. 1 Cor 12:3)
2. The Holy Spirit acts against the influence of Satan’s kingdom by preaching sin and repentance (1 John 4:4-5) a.) sensitive to the dreadful nature of sin b.) sensitivity to God’s holy wrath and judgment for sin c.) personal awareness of one’s own miserable condition d.) people become aware of God’s pity and help in Christ
3. The Bible is exalted and held in high regard (1 John 4:6)
4. Sound doctrine is taught and promoted. The Spirit of understanding and truth opposes spirits of falsehood (1 John 4:6 c.f. Jn 8:44, Acts 26:14)
5. Love to God and man is promoted (1 John 4:6-21). Love that the Spirit promotes is no ordinary love- it is divine love focused and patterned on Christ and His love (1 Cor 13). The best way to differentiate true love from counterfeit self-love is humility, which is the surest evidence.
@8 months ago with 23 notesThis is something I am guilty of, and need to learn from.
My Lord and my Saviour,
I kneel and confess. I am foolish, without a shred of wisdom, because I chase after this world and succumb to the desires of my flesh. I allow my eyes to covet and fall into the deepest pits chasing blindly after possessions that I believe (ardently) give me the utmost of pride.
I am unable to throw away my pride. I clamour to it stubbornly from force of habit, afraid to lose it lest I have nothing to my name. I lie, to others and to myself. I refuse to listen to others believing in my non-existent superiority and wisdom.
I speak because I am arrogant.
I stay silent because I am arrogant.
I have absolutely nothing to my name to be able to go to you and ask for reconciliation. I instead want to work for you, to do works for you, because I an so unworthy. Yet still this is borne of the remnants of my pride, believing that whatever I do is worth a fraction of your grace.
But you see me coming from afar and run to embrace me. You sent your sinless Son in the flesh to be flogged, pierced, spat on, verbally abused, physically abused, and to be crucified, all to bear the entire weight of your wrath. And then you revealed the incredible mystery of your grace to us with the resurrection. I die and am raised again with Christ. I now am considered righteous only because of your love and nothing else.
Any reason I have to be proud falls to pieces. I am unable to fathom the depth of your love.
"What this brother wrote is simply, quite wonderful and altogether encouraging.
CJ Mahaney writes in his book, Humility, “Why does God hate pride so passionately? Here’s why: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of GOd and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.”
If only we used our words and prayers more to encourage others.
In his 1741 publication ‘The Distinguishing Marks of a work of the Spirit of God’ based on 1 John 4:
1. Jesus is exalted in the revival (1 John 4:2-3 c.f. 1 Cor 12:3)
2. The Holy Spirit acts against the influence of Satan’s kingdom by preaching sin and repentance (1 John 4:4-5) a.) sensitive to the dreadful nature of sin b.) sensitivity to God’s holy wrath and judgment for sin c.) personal awareness of one’s own miserable condition d.) people become aware of God’s pity and help in Christ
3. The Bible is exalted and held in high regard (1 John 4:6)
4. Sound doctrine is taught and promoted. The Spirit of understanding and truth opposes spirits of falsehood (1 John 4:6 c.f. Jn 8:44, Acts 26:14)
5. Love to God and man is promoted (1 John 4:6-21). Love that the Spirit promotes is no ordinary love- it is divine love focused and patterned on Christ and His love (1 Cor 13). The best way to differentiate true love from counterfeit self-love is humility, which is the surest evidence.
