Catholics seem to have a problem with saint worship, and no saint seems to be so widely revered then Mary, the mother of Jesus. I'm not familiar with all Catholic practices, but that criticisms appears to have merit. I just wonder why the logic that Protestants use does not carry through to their own practices.
Usually the criticism addresses Mary as a fine person, but not worthy of any special regard because God just had to pick somebody, and it just happened to be her. In other words, God could have chosen any other womb, or at least others could have qualified. It wasn't that the Father was just waiting for someone as special as Mary to come along before He sent Jesus to earth. She was just blessed to be available when God needed someone like her.
I agree. But, don't use that argument against my sacred cows!
I like to think that I am special. I like the flattering gossip at the prayer meetings, when we talk about those that have fallen away, and ministries that strayed off-track. I don't have to say it directly: "I am glad that I am not as other men"- can be read between every smug declaration.
Surely, I wound up-right by my own doing, and others (if they had my fortitude, and my will-power, and my smarts) could stay free from disrepute, and scandal, right?
Am I alone with this flesh tenancy? I must admit it. I don't like it, but sometimes the evil thoughts come into mind. In fact, it would shock you how much time is spent at the Bible-studies that I go to doing exactly this.
God help us, to be free of this! We are vexed by the self-righteous self-exaltative notions that we have it together on our own and others do not. Help us be boastful only of our weakness and how the Lord Jesus has saved wretches like us! You, Lord, didn't need our strength, smarts, nor will-power to accomplish this work in us. Our intellect did not lead us to all Truth ... it is Your Spirit.
We are nothing. You are the Lord.
We give you 100% credit for whatever purity has arrived in us, for on our own we can do nothing. Whatever wisdom, whatever strength, it is You, Lord Jesus!
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
amen
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