Then follows
self-confidence, self-trust, self-effort, self-dependence. What was it
that led Peter to deny Jesus? Christ had warned him; why did he not take
warning? Self-confidence. He was so sure: "Lord, I love Thee. For three
years I have followed Thee. Lord, I deny that it ever can be. I am ready
to go to prison and to death." It was simply self-confidence. People have
often asked me, "What is the reason I fail? I desire so earnestly, and pray
so fervently, to live in God's will." And my answer generally is, "Simply
because you trust yourself." They answer me: "No, I do not; I know I am
not good; and I know that God is willing to keep me, and I put my trust in
Jesus." But I reply, "No, my brother; no; if you trusted God and Jesus, you
could not fall, but you trust yourself." Do let us believe that the cause
of every failure in the Christian life is nothing but this. I trust this
cursed self, instead of trusting Jesus. I trust my own strength, instead of
the almighty strength of God. And that is why Christ says, "This self must
be denied.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43