Christ sin self

(William Mason, "The One Thing Needful to Make
Poor Sinners Rich—and Miserable Sinners Happy")

Where Christ is most precious—
  there sin is exceedingly sinful;
  and self is humbled and loathed!

But—do we not grow stronger in ourselves, and
find more help and power from ourselves—
  to withstand our enemies,
  to fight our good fight,
  to run our race, and
  to perfect holiness?

No! If we think so—it is plain that we are not
growing up into Christ—but growing down into
self! If the Lord has given me to know anything
of this matter, after being upwards of twenty
years in precious Christ, I sincerely declare, that
I find myself to be just that weak, helpless sinner
I was when I first came to Jesus with, "Lord help
me! Lord save me—or I perish!" Yes, I find myself
more helpless now—than I thought myself then.
I see more constant need to put on Christ, and
to say, "truly in the Lord (not in myself) I have
strength!"

I never more firmly believed than now, this truth
of my Lord, "Without Me, you can do nothing." John
15:5. Never, never did I see less cause to trust in
my own strength!

"Hold me up—and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117