Gold Nugget 163 - Some Master-Passion

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      There lies … at the spring of every man’s conduct, be he a public character or only a private individual, some master-passion to which all other feelings and aims are subordinate, and it is good for each one, and necessary to the true interpreter of life, to find out what it is. 

      In public affairs there can be no question that in very many instances it is not fear of God, not pure patriotism, not regard for human interest as such, but open or disguised love of pre-eminence which furnishes the main incentive to conduct.  The form of conduct may be such as would result from the action of higher and better feelings, but that is simply the result of policy. 

      This feeling, which finds its scope in the rivalry and struggle of individuals, is but the social form of the generic feeling known as selfishness, or, as modern theologians term it, selfism, which in its essence is sin and probably the metaphysical explanation of sin itself, and which, prefer to belong to an inferior order of things.  To please self, men will even consent to lose moral rank, and become foes rather than friends of the Righteous One. …

      It becomes us now and then to search into the mainsprings of life, to ascertain what really are the principles or feelings which dominate our conduct. … The secret of every life is to be found in the heart, and hence the need constantly of the prayer that God would create within us a clean heart.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, II Samuel p.75-77, II Samuel 3:12-21, (C. Chapman)

 

Gold Nugget 163

Some Master-Passion

 

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