Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
"The sweeter morsel for the worm!"
by Spurgeon, on 'pride'. Must listen!
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The most lovely Christian!
(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")
"Learn from Me--for I am gentle and humble in heart." Matthew 11:29
Learn humility--from Christ's humility.
For lack of humility--some angels became devils! Proud sinners are fit companions, for none but proud devils!
When men glory in their pride--God stains the pride of their glory! "The Lord Almighty planned it--to stain the pride of all glory, and to humble all who are renowned on the earth." Isaiah 23:9
The most lowly Christian--is the most lovely Christian!
A believer is like a vessel in the sea: the more it fills--the more it sinks!
None live so humble on earth--as those who live highest in heaven. See how one of the best of saints looks upon himself--as one of the least of saints, "Unto me who am less than the least of all saints," said the great Paul in Ephesians 3:8.
The most holy men--are always the most lowly men. Where humility is the corner-stone, there piety is the top-stone. The coat of humility--should always be worn on the back of Christianity. "Clothe yourselves with humility." 1 Peter 5:5
God Almighty has two houses in which He dwells: His city-house, and His country-house. His city-house is the heaven of heavens; and His country-house is the humble and lowly heart! Isaiah 57:15, "I dwell in the high and holy place," that is, in heaven, God's city-house; "and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit," that is God's country-house.
Humility is a 'Bethel' for God's dwelling-place!
Pride is a 'Babel' for the devil's residence!
If you do not keep pride out of your soul, and your soul out of pride--pride will keep your soul out of heaven!
I will not say, that a poor man is never proud--but I will say, that a proud man is never godly. James 4:16, "God resists the proud--but gives grace to the humble." The face of piety--shines brightest through the mask of humility.
"Clothe yourselves with humility." Of all garments, humility best fits Christians, and best adorns their profession. A Christian should look with one eye upon God's grace--to keep him thankful; and with the other eye upon himself--to keep him mournful. When you begin to grow proud of your glistening feathers--look down upon your black feet!
Revelation 4:10, "The twenty-four elders fall down before the throne, and cast down their crowns before Him who sits on the throne." The only way of keeping our crowns on our heads--is the casting them down at Christ's feet!
Alas! sirs--what are you proud of?
Are you proud . . .
of your riches,
of your honors,
of your relations,
of your beauty,
of your strength?
Alas! alas! these are poor base things to boast in!
Oh, go to the graves of those who have died before you. Are not their bones scattered, their eyes rotted, their flesh consumed, their mouth corrupted! Where now are their ruddy lips, their lovely cheeks, their fluent tongue, their sparkling eyes, their flowing hair? Are they not all gone, as a dream!
And where will you be before long?
And will you be proud of these things?
"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13
"He is able to humble those who walk in pride!" Daniel 4:37
