This, if true, explains a lot, about me, and about those to whom we speak (in reference to John 5:43-44):
“If a man is not thoroughly honest in his professed desire to find out the truth in religion, – if he secretly cherishes any idol which he is resolved not to give up, – if he privately cares for anything more than God’s praise, – he will go on to the end of his days doubting, perplexed, dissatisfied, and restless, and will never find the way to peace. His insincerity of heart is an insuperable barrier in the way of his believing.”
(J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
Chris in NM
Ouch! It must be a painful thing to live as a preacher, always reading such convicting things…
Randy Greenwald
The real occupational hazard is reading such things and ONLY thinking they apply to others, forgetting to apply them to oneself.