Faith vs self-confidence

“Who art Thou, Lord?” Acts 26:15

“....God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. ‘I know this is what I should do’—and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance. We have shown our ignorance of Him in the very way we determined to serve Him. We serve Jesus in a spirit that is not His, we hurt Him by our advocacy for Him, we push His claims in the spirit of the devil. Our words sound all right, but our spirit is that of an enemy. 'He rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.' The spirit of Our Lord in an advocate of His is described in 1 Corinthians 13.”

My Utmost for His Highest, January 29th

. . . so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus." Acts 20:24

The joy Our Lord had lay in doing what the Father sent Him to do, and He says —“As My Father hath sent Me, even so am I sending you.” Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it, to count my life precious only for the fulfilling of that ministry. Think of the satisfaction it will be to hear Jesus say—“Well done, good and faithful servant”; to know that you have done what He sent you to do. ...

“I will show him how great things he must suffer for My sake.”
“Lovest thou Me?” Then—“Feed My sheep.” There is no choice of service, only absolute loyalty to Our Lord’s commission; loyalty to what you discern when you are in closest contact with God.

My Utmost for His Highest, March 5

"No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him. " John 6:44

When God draws me, the issue of my will comes in at once—will I react on the revelation which God gives; will I come to Him? ...

"Never discuss with anyone when God speaks. Belief is not an intellectual act; belief is a moral act whereby I deliberately commit myself. Will I dump myself down absolutely on God and transact on what He says? If I will, I shall find I am based on Reality that is as sure as God’s throne....

"It is God Who draws me, and my relationship with Him in the first place is a personal one, not an intellectual one. I am introduced into the relationship by the miracle of God ... then I begin to get an intelligent appreciation and understanding of the wonder of the transaction.

My Utmost for His Highest, December 22