"The Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond

Drummond, Henry. The Greatest Thing in the World and Other Writings. Nashville: Nelson. 2000.

The Greatest Thing in the World

Love

Inspiration from

1 Corinthians 13

By Henry Drummond

 

“Souls are made sweet not by taking the acid fluids out, but by putting something in-a great Love, a new Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Christ, the Spirit of Christ, interpenetrating ours, sweetens, purifies, transforms all. This only can eradicate what is wrong, work a chemical change, renovate and regenerate, and rehabilitate the inner man: Will-power does not change men. Time does not change men. Christ does. Therefore ‘Let that mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.’”

“What was Christ doing in the carpenter’s shop? Practicing. Though perfect, we read that He learned obedience. He increased in wisdom and in favor with God and man. Do not quarrel therefore with your lot in life. Do not complain of its never-ceasing cares, its petty environment, the vexations you have to stand, the small and sordid souls you have to live and work with. Above all, do not resent temptation; do not be perplexed because it seems to thicken round you more and more, and ceases neither for effort nor for agony nor prayer. That is the practice which God appoints you; and it is having its work in making you patient, and humble, and generous, and unselfish, and kind, and courteous. Do not grudge the hand that is molding the still too shapeless image within you. It is growing more beautiful though you see it not, and every touch of temptation may add to its perfection.”

“Yet this is what Christianity is for-to teach men the Art of Life. And its whole curriculum lies in one word-‘Learn of Me.’ Unlike most education, this is almost purely personal; it is not to be had from books or lectures or creeds or doctrines. It is a study from the life. Christ never said much in mere words about the Christian graces. He lived them, He was them. Yet we do not merely copy Him. We learn His art by living with Him, like the old apprentices with their masters.

   Now we understand it all? Christ’s invitation to the weary and heavy-laden is a call to begin life over again upon a new principle-upon His own principle. ‘Watch My way of doing things,’ He says. ‘Follow Me. Take life as I take it. Be meek and lowly and you will find Rest.’”

“David a man after Mine own heart, who shall fulfill all My will.”

All our ideal man…

V  wants is a reason for his being alive at all. Hebrews 10:7

V  needs is Sustenance. John 4:34

V  needs is Society. Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35

V  wants is Language. He must speak to his Friend.

V  does not always pray. There is such perfect blessedness in praying the ideal prayer that language fails him sometimes. Psalms 119:54

V  wants is an Education. Psalm 143:10

V  wants is a Promise. 1 John 5:14

V  wants to know is how long? 1 John 2:17

The above is from a smaller 111 page booklet that has been expanded into this larger 234 page book. 

This book answers the question, "What is the greatest thing in the world?" 

I Corinthians 13 reads  that "the greatest of these is love."