Oct
10
2009
Sunday Prep
Thomas Watson asks, “How may a Christian know that he is humble and consequently godly?” He gives ten answers. Here’s number eight:
A humble man is willing to have his name and gifts eclipsed, so that God’s glory may be increased. He is content to be outshone by others in gifts and esteem, so that the crown of Christ may shine the brighter. This is the humble man’s motto: ‘Let me decrease; let Christ increase.’ It is his desire that Christ should be exalted, and if this is effected, whoever is the instrument, he rejoices. ‘Some preach Christ of envy’ (Phil. 1:15). They preached to take away some of Paul’s hearers. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice’ (v. 18). A humble Christian is content to be laid aside if God has any other tools to work with which may bring him more glory.
–From The Godly Man’s Picture (first published in 1666)
4 Comments
[...] (HT: The Gospel Coalition Blog) [...]
At the heart of the Gospel there will always be the Message of the Christ who never ever changes, and who`s authority transcends ours. However, the desire to exploit not only Christ but His message of judgment and grace will continue to be diminished by those who seek human glorification. This is one of the greatest dangers that awaits upon those who do not submit to Christ and His rule.
May Christ guide us wisely through His Word and His Spirit, so that everything we proclaim, teach and explain will continue to keep the centrality of Christ at the center of everything we are called to live for, to serve for and to share for.
In Christ, Cosmin Pascu
Campus Staff Worker with IFES Ireland
This is a good excerpt, thank you. Let me decrease, let Christ increase. I liked this one especially:
“He is content to be outshone by others in gifts and esteem, so that the crown of Christ may shine the brighter.”
Here is the self-portrait of the original “Godly Man’s Picture” drawn exclusively through the preferred medium of works over words.
SELF-PORTRAIT OF JESUS CHRIST
(As fully documented in the four gospels)
Preliminary Strokes:
• Fixing the day and hour of his death
• Self-identification for arrest
• Self-surrender
• Self-incrimination for death sentencing
• Waiver of right of appeal
Final Touches:
• Exercise of synchronized rights to die and to rise from death with far-reaching consequences!