1 Timothy 1:15-16
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
“Only he who lives by the forgiveness of his sins in Jesus Christ will rightly think little of himself… If any sinfulness appears to me to be in anyway smaller or less detestable in comparison with the sins of others, I’m still not recognizing my sinfulness in all. My sin is of necessity the worst, the most grievous, the most reprehensible. Brotherly love will find any number of extenuation for the sins of others; only from my sins no apology whatsoever. Therefore my sin is the worst… How can I possibly serve another person in unfeigned humility if I seriously regard his sinfulness as worse than my own? Would I not be putting myself above him; could I have any hope for him?” “Bonhoeffer Life Together” page 96
Dear Pastor,
Humility is a tricky thing!! We can be so proud of our humility that others can not stand us!!!
I once saw( or actually heard!) in the churches I attended as a kid this.. That the testimonies of others were only appreciated if each sensationalized the sins they were saved from abit more than the previous testimony!!
As much as this is nauseating to us imagine what it is like to the redeeming God Who by the way still redeems us and works on our humility inspite of ourselves!!
Betty M