Purchase Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation
David Strope recommends
Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7). So declares the apostle Paul generally of sinners saved by grace through faith and specifically of himself.
Yet the beast within the heart of every believer—our inner essence being sinful—recoils. The reflex of servants of Christ is to magnify the earthen vessel at the expense of God’s glory. So the progressive work of God’s Spirit upon the servant’s heart begins, ever striking at the depraved root within us all: pride, arrogance, and self-seeking.
One would think that servants of Christ—pastors, teachers, missionaries—would be immune from such sins. The lifestyle qualities that Paul listed (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1) indicate a humble heart, from which springs moral purity, self-control, sobriety of mind and body, integrity, and gentleness with family and others—all while being aware of inward pride.
We understand that “God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:28–29, CSB). God calls wretched sinners to Himself. The world thinks nothing of such people and considers the garbage heap a worthwhile resting place for believers.
But in overt braggadocio or mere humble brags, boast we do.
Yes, one would think believers would easily and always deflect attention and glory to God alone. Yet pride and self-exaltation are portions of even the minister’s life.
Pat Nemmers is a nearby neighbor of mine and a fellow pastor. His book, Retractions, is his narrative of God’s work in the constant battle with indwelling sin, with pride.
I recommend Retractions highly, for though everyone’s circumstances differ, we all must “die daily” to reflexive pride (1 Cor. 15:31).
David Strope is interim national representative of the GARBC and executive editor of The Baptist Bulletin. This book review was published in the Spring 2023 Baptist Bulletin along with an adaptation of the book’s introduction.
