Luke 1:15-16 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink… What is greatness? Scarcely two persons among us would give the same reply to that question. All would admit that it denotes pre-eminence, but each would have his own preference as to the department in which it was to be manifested. Some would associate it with power, some with courage, some with eloquence, and some, perhaps, with wealth; yet each would think of it as conferring an advantage on its possessor, and so putting others at a corresponding disadvantage. The really great man is he whom holiness and love combine to inspire for the service of his generation by the will of God. 1. He who wins this greatness does not attain it at the expense of others. 2. We may win this greatness anywhere. 3. This greatness is satisfying to its possessor.The highest commendation one can earn is this — "He hath done what he could;" and the noblest life-record is that which comes nearest to His of whom it was said that "He went about doing good." That is fame, though no earthly herald may trumpet it abroad, for Christ shall proclaim it on the day of days before the assembled universe. (Dr. W. M. Taylor.) Parallel Verses KJV: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. |
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