Paul's Estimate of Himself by James Smith

I am nothing 2 Corinthians 12 11 This was Paul's estimate of himself, less than the least of all saints, and the chief of sinners. The more we know of ourselves and of Jesus, the more we shall be humbled in the dust before him, and the lower we lie before him, and the happier and holier we shall be.

sinful man will, must be something, this is both his pride and his misery. The Christian is willing to be nothing, that Christ may be all in all. If we daily felt that we are nothing, how many mortifications we would be spared, what admiring views of the grace of God would fill and sanctify our souls,

Apart from Christ, we are less than nothing, but in Christ we are something. We are empty, but He fills us. We are naked, but He clothes us. We are helpless, but He strengthens us. We are lost, but He finds us. We are ruined, but He saves us. We are poor, but He supplies us. All that we are is by Christ. All that we have is from Christ. All that all we shall be is through Christ.

Christian, you are nothing. Therefore beware of thinking too highly of yourself, or imagining that you deserve more than you receive, either from God or men. Humble souls are soon satisfied.

O could I lose myself in thee,
Your depth of mercy prove!
O vast, unfathomable sea
Of unexhausted love!
I loathe myself when God I see,
Content, if Christ exalted be!