Post by Char on Oct 26, 2008 13:20:17 GMT -6
SELF-FORGETFULNESS
JAMES 1:24.’.FORGET’S WHAT MANNER OF MAN HE WAS."
There are some who have not forgotten what manner of men they are, simply because they have never known.
From childhood they have been brought up with utterly false notions of themselves. Most of us at times have had little glimpses of ourselves.
Some friends whose affection for us determines that we shall not think, without protest, more highly of ourselves than we ought to think–called "The malice of kind people." such a friend feels it a duty to tell us of some fault which "People talk about and think such a pity". The spiritual truth, or lie "Truth-tinged," give us a side view of ourselves which we have never seen before, and we do not like it much.
Some people talk about graces and gifts which so eminently distinguish others, certainly we thought we were.
There have been moments when, as it were, the devil himself has entered into us, and , by the lurid light of his presence.
We have for an instant seen inside some of the dark chambers of our heart, and looked upon the unclean spirits which hid there, set ready at any moment to go forth on an evil work.
Or the vision of some beauty or purity with which the trust of love had endowed us, but which we knew was not ours, of some voice of God which seemed to draw the soul up from its low dwelling-place to fairer regions, have made us dissatisfied with our selves shown us our grievous faults, and yet filled us with the hope of rising above them.
Few men know themselves, few men can look upon their characters as upon a geological map.
If the some of dead were able to read their own memoirs, how startled at times they would be.
How would one of us like to read these words about ourselves "His life was one long series of tricks--- mean and malicious.
To inure, to insult, to save himself from the consequences of injury and insult by lying was the habits of his life.
Besides his faults of fear, of interest, and of vanity, there were frauds which he committed for love of fraud alone.
As I have said, we know ourselves very imperfectly, we do at times get glimpses of ourselves, and these transient glimpses should be turned to profit in new labor of caution and prayer.
If we are in danger of forgetting that we, however highly placed, are only men, is it not a fact that we still more frequently forget that we are weak, faulty, and, indeed, too often fallen men?
When one thinks of it, how few things can be more surprising than the readiness with which the mass of mankind are prepared to pass decisive judgment on anything which may come under their notice.
They allot approval to this, and pronounce condemnation upon that, and have forgotten what manner of men they are forgotten that they possess nothing but inherited prejudices, or fugitive reflections from other minds on which to found their assumption.
And more especially, would not the hardness and intolerance which is shown by thousands towards certain Churches and certain parties be shamed away.
If only those parties and churches were thoroughly understood; and only we remembered how apparently accidental is our own position, that but for chances, as we say, We might have been that which now we denounce.
The things we have done, and the things we should like to do if we dared— these tell us something of our nature, and should tinge all our judgments with pity.
There are uttered the solemn words of confession, and on bended knees we make our self-revelation. And is the cry, "Lord, have mercy upon us, " our cry unto God to save us. Then the pangs of memory become a cross of salvation. Or on the other hand, when we make our confession (repentance), is the only thing we have forgotten our faults and the ruin they are working, or moral diseases and the grave to which they were leading us.
The only thing we see– ourselves arrayed in Sunday graces.
It is time that we remembered ourselves, so would a humbler and more gently spirit rule us.
It is time that we remembered ourselves, so would a regeneration intention inspire us.
If we would indeed see ourselves, and, having seen, see that same self no more, we have been changed to a new person, we must "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Praise God that the image in the mirror has been changed. Have a good day. (James Shoemake.)
JAMES 1:24.’.FORGET’S WHAT MANNER OF MAN HE WAS."
There are some who have not forgotten what manner of men they are, simply because they have never known.
From childhood they have been brought up with utterly false notions of themselves. Most of us at times have had little glimpses of ourselves.
Some friends whose affection for us determines that we shall not think, without protest, more highly of ourselves than we ought to think–called "The malice of kind people." such a friend feels it a duty to tell us of some fault which "People talk about and think such a pity". The spiritual truth, or lie "Truth-tinged," give us a side view of ourselves which we have never seen before, and we do not like it much.
Some people talk about graces and gifts which so eminently distinguish others, certainly we thought we were.
There have been moments when, as it were, the devil himself has entered into us, and , by the lurid light of his presence.
We have for an instant seen inside some of the dark chambers of our heart, and looked upon the unclean spirits which hid there, set ready at any moment to go forth on an evil work.
Or the vision of some beauty or purity with which the trust of love had endowed us, but which we knew was not ours, of some voice of God which seemed to draw the soul up from its low dwelling-place to fairer regions, have made us dissatisfied with our selves shown us our grievous faults, and yet filled us with the hope of rising above them.
Few men know themselves, few men can look upon their characters as upon a geological map.
If the some of dead were able to read their own memoirs, how startled at times they would be.
How would one of us like to read these words about ourselves "His life was one long series of tricks--- mean and malicious.
To inure, to insult, to save himself from the consequences of injury and insult by lying was the habits of his life.
Besides his faults of fear, of interest, and of vanity, there were frauds which he committed for love of fraud alone.
As I have said, we know ourselves very imperfectly, we do at times get glimpses of ourselves, and these transient glimpses should be turned to profit in new labor of caution and prayer.
If we are in danger of forgetting that we, however highly placed, are only men, is it not a fact that we still more frequently forget that we are weak, faulty, and, indeed, too often fallen men?
When one thinks of it, how few things can be more surprising than the readiness with which the mass of mankind are prepared to pass decisive judgment on anything which may come under their notice.
They allot approval to this, and pronounce condemnation upon that, and have forgotten what manner of men they are forgotten that they possess nothing but inherited prejudices, or fugitive reflections from other minds on which to found their assumption.
And more especially, would not the hardness and intolerance which is shown by thousands towards certain Churches and certain parties be shamed away.
If only those parties and churches were thoroughly understood; and only we remembered how apparently accidental is our own position, that but for chances, as we say, We might have been that which now we denounce.
The things we have done, and the things we should like to do if we dared— these tell us something of our nature, and should tinge all our judgments with pity.
There are uttered the solemn words of confession, and on bended knees we make our self-revelation. And is the cry, "Lord, have mercy upon us, " our cry unto God to save us. Then the pangs of memory become a cross of salvation. Or on the other hand, when we make our confession (repentance), is the only thing we have forgotten our faults and the ruin they are working, or moral diseases and the grave to which they were leading us.
The only thing we see– ourselves arrayed in Sunday graces.
It is time that we remembered ourselves, so would a humbler and more gently spirit rule us.
It is time that we remembered ourselves, so would a regeneration intention inspire us.
If we would indeed see ourselves, and, having seen, see that same self no more, we have been changed to a new person, we must "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Praise God that the image in the mirror has been changed. Have a good day. (James Shoemake.)
