Oct 16
4
Altogether Vanity
It is the assumption of most that sin is something that comes into their lives at moments of weakness. Anger, jealousy, and pride, finding an occasion, cause their feet to slip and sin enter the door. If they could somehow get rid of these things that have ruined their reputations, their lives would stand as a good testimony to God. The truth about sin is that the part of our lives that we are the proudest of gives the greatest evidence against us. “…Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags;…(Isaiah 64: 6) Sin is what we are; it is the leprosy into which we are born and infects the whole or our nature. While we may attain a good name and high honor in this world, we are like Naaman of old, still a leper and forbidden to come into the camp of Israel. (II Kings 5: 1) Darvin Pruitt
I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: 1. Inclining to unbelief; 2. Suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth; 3. A leaning to the works of the law; 4. Wanderings and coldness in prayer; 5. To forget to watch for that I pray for; 6. Apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have; 7. I can do none of those things which God commands me, but my corruptions will thrust in themselves.
When I would do good, evil is present with me. These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with, yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good; 1. They make me abhor myself; 2. They keep me from trusting my heart; 3. They convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness; 4. They show me the necessity of flying to Jesus; 5. They press me to pray unto God; 6. They show me the need I have to watch and be sober; 7. And provoke me to pray unto God, through Christ to help me, and carry me through this world.
—John Bunyan