And any works that man can render to God will be far less than nothingness. My requests are made acceptable only because they are laid upon Christ's righteousness. The idea of doing anything to merit the grace of pardon is fallacy from beginning to end. Lord, in my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. What Man Cannot Do Man can achieve no praiseworthy exploits that give him any glory.
Men are in the habit of glorifying men and exalting men.
It makes me shudder to see or hear of it, for there have been revealed to me not a few cases where the homelife and inner work of the hearts of those very men are full of selfishness. There can be no true conversion without the giving up of sin, and the aggravating character of sin is not discerned. We hear so many things preached in regard to the conversion of the soul that are not the truth. No more than he can pardon himself. There is danger in regarding justification by faith as placing merit on faith.