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Paul's highest attainment
(Letters of J.
C. Philpot)
"I am nothing." 2 Corinthians 12:11
This was Paul's highest attainment
in the knowledge of self.
To be a daily pauper living on alms is humbling
to proud nature, which is always seeking to be
something, and to do something.
If this self-nothingness was wrought in us, we
would be spared much pain, in wounded pride.
People are building up religion all over the
country, but there is not one of a thousand who
has yet learned the first lesson--to be nothing.
Of all this noisy crowd, how few lie at Jesus' feet,
helpless and hopeless, and find help and hope
in Him!
If you can venture to be nothing, it will save you
a world of anxiety and trouble! But proud, vain,
conceited flesh wants to be something . . .
to preach well,
to make a name for one's self,
and be admired as a preacher.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15
"I am less than the least of all God's people." Eph. 3:8
"I am nothing." 2 Corinthians 12:11
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