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Serving is Better than Ruling

Posted by on May 11, 2012 in General | Leave a comment

There is no grace which should distinguish the Christian so much as humility. He that would be great in the eyes of Christ, must aim at a totally different mark from that of the Pharisees. His aim must be, not so much to rule as to serve the Church. Well says Baxter, “church greatness consisteth in being greatly serviceable.”  The desire of the Pharisees was to receive honor and to be called “master.” The desire of the Christian must be to do good, and to give of himself, and all that he has to the service of others. Truly, this is a high standard, but a lower one must never content us.

The example of our blessed Lord, the direct command of the apostolic Epistles, both alike require us to be “clothed with humility” (I Peter 5:5). Let us seek that blessed grace day by day. None is so beautiful, however musch despised by the world. None is such an evidence of saving faith, and true conversion to God. None is so often commended by our Lord. Of all His sayings, hardly any is so often repeated  – “He that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

– J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels