Do not be proud of your fine feathers!

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity")

Behold here a sacred riddle or paradox—"God was manifest
in the flesh." That man should be made in God's image, was
a wonder—but that God should be made in man's image, is
a greater wonder!
That the Ancient of Days—should be born;
that He who thunders in the heavens—should cry in the cradle; that He who rules the stars—should suck the breast; that Christ should be made of a woman—and of that    woman which He Himself made;
that the mother should be younger than the child she bore;
this is the most astonishing miracle! "God was manifest in
the flesh" is a mystery we shall never fully understand until
we come to heaven, when our light shall be clear, as well as
our love perfect.

"He humbled Himself and became obedient to
 death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:8

"God made Him who had no sin—to be sin for us!"
 2 Corinthians 5:21

This was the lowest degree of Christ's humiliation.
That Christ, who would not endure sin in the angels,
should endure to have sin imputed to Himself—is the
most amazing humility that ever was!

Christian! Learn to be humble! Do you see Christ humbling
Himself—and are you proud? It is the humble saint, who is
Christ's picture! Christians, do not be proud of your fine
feathers! Have you an estate? Do not be proud. The earth
you tread on, is richer than you! It has mines of gold and
silver in its depths. Have you beauty? Do not be proud. It
is but water mingled with dirt! Have you skill and abilities?
Be humble. Lucifer has more knowledge than you! Have you 
grace? Be humble. It is not of your own making—it was
given to you by God. You have more sin than grace; more 
spots than beauty. Oh look on Christ—this rare pattern of
humility—and be humbled! It is a sad sight, to see God
humbling Himself—and man exalting himself; to see a 
humble Savior—and a proud sinner! God hates the very
semblance of pride!

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13

"If God," says Augustine, "did not spare the angels
when they grew proud; will He spare you—who are
but dust and sin?"

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