Every Thought to the Obedience of Christ
To abide in Christ and experience divine fullness, we must learn to repress our self-confidence and develop a habit of reserve and quiet.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of self-repression and the importance of surrendering our thoughts to Christ in order to abide in Him. He warns against the impulsive nature of human judgment, which often leads to regret and misalignment with God's will. By suspending our own opinions and seeking the Lord's guidance, we create space for divine efficiency and fullness in our lives. Simpson encourages a quiet and reserved approach to decision-making, highlighting that true obedience requires a humble and deferential spirit. Ultimately, it is through relinquishing self-confidence that we can truly hear and follow God's voice.
Text
If we would abide in Christ we must have no confidence in self. Self-repression must be ever the prime necessity of divine fullness and efficiency. How quickly we want to spring to the front when any emergency arises. When something in which we are interested comes up, we say what we think under some sudden impulse. Then perhaps there are weeks of taking back our thoughts and taking the Lord's instead. It is only when we get out of the way of the Lord that He can use us.
So, let us leave self behind us, always suspending our will about everything until we have looked at the issue and said: "Lord, what is Your will?
What is Your thought about it?" Those who thus abide in Christ have the habit of reserve and quiet; they are not rattling and reckless talkers, they will not always have an opinion about everything-and they will not always know what they are going to do. There will be a deferential holding back of judgment and walking softly with God. It is our headlong, impulsive spirit that keeps us so constantly from hearing and following the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Necessity of Self-Repression
- The Dangers of Impulsive Behavior
- The Benefits of Reserve and Quiet
- Deferential judgment leads to greater wisdom
- Walking softly with God fosters obedience
Key Quotes
“It is only when we get out of the way of the Lord that He can use us.” — A.B. Simpson
“So, let us leave self behind us, always suspending our will about everything until we have looked at the issue and said: ''Lord, what is Your will? What is Your thought about it?''” — A.B. Simpson
“It is our headlong, impulsive spirit that keeps us so constantly from hearing and following the Lord.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Learn to suspend your will and seek the Lord's guidance before making decisions.
- Develop a habit of reserve and quiet by deferring judgment and walking softly with God.
- Avoid being a rattling and reckless talker by reserving your judgment and opinions.