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The Pilgrim Path (8-10-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---John 3: 30

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

SOME REMEDIES FOR PRIDE

John the Baptist has some of his disciples approach him about a discussion that had arisen between them and a Jew over ceremonial purification (John 3: 22—30). They wanted to know about this one John “bore witness to”---all were going to him (Jesus). It is interesting to note that John the Baptist is not threatened by the appearance of this “new one.” John says that we receive our appointments from heaven (John 3: 27). John knew he was not the Christ. John knew he was the forerunner---the way-preparer. John knew he was the friend of the bridegroom---his joy was complete in the role God had given him. John knew he was here to “make way” for the LORD Jesus---that was all he wanted to do. From Dr. D. A. Carson “The Evangelist could not have been unaware of the fact that the post-resurrection church would picture Christ as the bridegroom and his church as the bride---the continuation and transformation of the Old Testament theme (e. g. II Cor. 11: 2; Eph. 5: 25-27; Rev. 21: 2, 9; 22: 17). The joy of the ‘best man’ belongs to the Baptist, and it is now complete.”

It is a wonderful thing to understand your place: you are here to make much of Jesus Christ the LORD. John the Baptist gives us an excellent motto for life: “He must increase, I must decrease.” That really sums it up. That is a concise guide for living. A simple way to deal with sin and priorities. It is a serious way to begin to consider pride…

“I know I am proud; yet I do not know the half of that pride.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“I am more afraid of pope ‘self’ than of the pope in Rome and all his cardinals.” Martin Luther

“Should that man be proud that has sinned as thou hast sinned, and lived as thou hast lived, and wasted so much time, and abused so much mercy, and omitted so many duties, and neglected so great means?---that hath so grieved the Spirit of God, so violated the law of God, so dishonored the name of God? Should that man be proud, who hath such a heart as thou hast?” Richard Mayo

“Pride is the opposite of humility. It was through pride that Satan lost his exalted position as an archangel. It was through pride that the Jewish people perished; while they were claiming the foremost seats and respectful greetings in the market place, they were passed over in favor of the Gentiles, who up until then had been reckoned as a mere drop in a bucket (Isa. 40; 15). Two insignificant fishermen, Peter and James, were sent out to challenge the false reasoners and wise men of the world. As Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble’ (I Peter 5: 5). Think, my brother, what a terrible sin it must be which has God Himself as its enemy! In the Gospel, God casts aside the Pharisee because of his pride, but embraces the tax-collector because of his humility (Luke 18: 10—14).” St. Jerome

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” C. S. Lewis

“Humility was never a loser.” Thomas Watson

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Dr. Joel Beeke / Some Ways to Subdue Pride & Cultivate Humility:

---Seek a deeper knowledge of God. His attributes, and His glory. Job and Isaiah teach us that nothing is so humbling as knowing God (Job 42; Isaiah 6).

---Meditate much on the solemnity of death, the certainty of Judgment Day, and the vastness of Eternity.

---View each day as an opportunity to forget yourself and serve others. The act of service is innately humbling.

---Read the biographies of great saints, such as George Whitefield’s Journals, The Life of David Brainerd, and Charles Spurgeon’s Early Years. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “If that does not bring you to earth, then I pronounce that you are…beyond hope.”

---Remember daily that “pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16: 18).

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Isaac Watts, 1707, 1709

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason