'Who Hath Not Lifted Up His Soul to vanity.'
The soul's seat of self-love and pride must be overcome through walking in the light and having fellowship with the saints.
Watchman Nee emphasizes the dangers of self-love and pride within the soul, which can lead to isolation and a judgmental attitude towards others. He warns that even the most spiritual individuals can fall into the trap of religious pride, distancing themselves from true fellowship with the saints. By walking in the light of God, believers can experience genuine fellowship and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. Nee highlights the importance of acknowledging our sins and the necessity of confession, as no one in the presence of God can claim to be without sin. Ultimately, true faith and fellowship arise from recognizing our need for cleansing and embracing our identity as saved sinners.
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The soul is the seat of self-love--pride--the "I" in us that wants to be seen and known and heard; also, the religious pride that says in effect "I thank God that I am not as other men are." This religious pride creeps into the most spiritual souls and they are defiled.
It manifests itself in an attitude of isolation from others, in a censorious spirit that seeks to put others right and in sitting in judgment on the saints.
But if these souls learn to walk in the light, as He is in the light, they will have fellowship one with another, that is, with all the saints, and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse them from all sin.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (I John i. 8); a disposition of self-justification condemns us.
"If we confess our sins" is an acknowledgement of our inherent sinnership and of our need of cleansing.
No one who is living consciously in the presence of God will say "I have not sinned," but the expression of a saved sinner before Him is "I confess my sins."
Then faith in the blood is the plea, and fellowship with the saints the result...
Sermon Outline
- The Seat of Self-Love
- Manifestations of Self-Love
- The Solution
- Walking in the light
- Fellowship with the saints
- The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from sin
Key Quotes
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” — Watchman Nee
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — Watchman Nee
“No one who is living consciously in the presence of God will say 'I have not sinned,' but the expression of a saved sinner before Him is 'I confess my sins.'” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- We must acknowledge our inherent sinnership and confess our sins to God.
- Faith in the blood of Jesus Christ is the plea for cleansing from sin.
- Fellowship with the saints is the result of acknowledging our sin and seeking cleansing.