Pride is one great cause of unbelief. This is the influence of Satan, who, being lifted up with pride, fell into eternal condemnation. By pride he ruined us at first; “Ye shall be as gods,” he said; and by pride he still keeps men under His power. The pride in the hearts of sinners stands directly opposed to SALVATION BY GRACE! God will give life freely in Christ, but the proud sinner prefers to merit and deserve it; God will have eternal life to be ALL OF GRACE (that no flesh should glory in His presence), but the sinner wants it to be of his works that he might have some glory.
Men will put themselves in monasteries, go to the mission fields, keep holy days, count beads, afflict their bodies, go on pilgrimages, strive to keep laws, and do almost anything for pardon and salvation rather than receive eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Why? PRIDE! The pride of the human heart will try anything, no matter how difficult or demeaning, ratherthan bow before God as a sinner and be saved by His grace. Isn’t it strange that a naked beggar would rather clothe himself with filthy rags than to accept the beautiful, spotless robe of Christ by grace? Isn’t it strange that a condemned criminal would rather seek to prove his innocence than to accept a full and free pardon from the hand of the King? It is not strange when one knows the awful pride of the human heart! To be saved and justified freely by the doing and dying of another is a situation the proud human heart cannot understand nor agree to until the strength of that pride is broken by the almighty power of God.
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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