A Sermon: Growing Smaller
‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John the Baptist)
When we learn to follow the first follower of Jesus we discover that the Christian life is about learning to grow smaller.
‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ (John the Baptist)
When we learn to follow the first follower of Jesus we discover that the Christian life is about learning to grow smaller.
TO HIM, as to so many, truth is so infinitely great that all we can do with our poor human utterances is to try and clothe it in such language as will make it clear to ourselves, and clear to those to whom God sends us with a message,
This is the hope for the world, that we shall learn to love, and in learning that, unlearn all anger and wrath and evil-speaking and malice and bitterness.
Our Lord does not decry stated fasts or any other Jewish practices, they had their uses and would last their times; only He points men to the underlying truth which was at the bottom of the ordinance.
GOD does not call us to give up some sin or some harmful self-indulgence in Lent that we may resume it at Easter.
HEAVEN does not make holiness, but holiness makes heaven.
Righteousness, shaped from within to without in the world of men, is justice, and the doing of justice.
If we would follow the eccentricity of our Master, let it not be in asceticism, in denunciation, in punctiliousness, and scruples about trifles, but in largeness of heart, singleness of eye, true breadth of character, true love to men, and heroism for Christ.
Service always ready to become sacrifice is the condition of our growth, and the condition of our joy.
THE sanction of this Law (the Christian Law) is not fear of punishment, but that self-surrender to an ever-present Lord, of those who are His slaves at once and His friends, which is perfect freedom.