THE WEEK OF SEPTUAGESIMA - THURSDAY

LESSON: MICAH 6:6-8

A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

It is very necessary that this Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16) should be preached to those in our time who know that Gospel, like me and others like me, who are teachers of the whole world and become its masters. We are very prone to develop the idea that we are closer to God than others, and that we have devoured God’s Spirit with feathers and legs.

How does it come to pass that so many sects have arisen, the one undertaking this, the other that, in connection with the Gospel? Without a doubt, the reason is that more of these really think that the statement applies to them, “The first will be last,” or, if it does apply to them, they are secure and without fear and regard themselves as “the first.”

Their experience will have to tally with this statement; they must become “the last.” They simply go ahead and set up much disgraceful doctrine and blasphemy against God and the Word.

SL.XI.513,12
AE 76,318-19

PRAYER: Open our eyes, O God, that we always recognize that we are paupers in your sight, absolutely dependent on your grace for all that we need as your children, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.