ENCOURAGEMENT FOR PASTORS (BY SPURGEON) humbly ascribes whatever he had done or suffered entirely to his Lord.

“We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me.” (Colossians 1:28–29)

 

The apostle takes no honor to himself but humbly ascribes whatever he had done or suffered entirely to his Lord.

He declares that he labored and agonized, but he confesses that it was through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who mightily by the Holy Spirit wrought in him. In another place, when he mentioned his abundant labors, he added,

“Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me”

(1 Corinthians 15:10).

 

He remembered where to put the crown; he took care not to steal an atom of the glory for himself, but he ascribed all to the power of him who loved him and gave himself for him.

Let us imitate the apostle in these two things. My brethren, let us live, while we live, a life of energy, but let us at the same time confess, when we have done all, that we are unprofitable servants; and if any glory and any praise be resulting from the work which we achieve, let us be careful to lay it all at the Redeemer’s feet.