During one of our meetings in Kansas some years ago, I was introduced to a brilliant young physician. Being of the same profession, we had much in common. However, I sought to learn if we could also enjoy the bond of being brothers in Christ. To this end I finally asked bluntly: "Doctor, are you a Christian?"
His answer surprised me. "Doctor, I am tied to my mother's apron strings. I have always lived up to her teachings morally, and I pride myself on the fact that while I was away in medical school I followed her teaching. I kept myself morally clean. I do not profess to be a Christian, but I dare say I am better morally than many church members of this city."
I said, "Doctor, I do not doubt you on that point, but listen: Unregeneracy is a state. You have not been regenerated, have you?"
He replied, "No, sir; I do not claim to be a regenerated man."
As I stood there in the sawdust covered aisle of the gospel tent, I drew a square in the sawdust. "Doctor," I said, "let this square represent the state of Colorado."
He agreed, and I continued. "The surface altitude at the lowest point is 2,000 feet above sea level. The highest altitude, the summit of Pike's Peak, is 14,200 feet above sea level. Now there are people in the Colorado mines who are 3,000 feet below the lowest surface altitude in the state. Whether they are deep in the mines, or are on the lowest surface altitude, or are on the summit of Pike's Peak, they are all in the state of Colorado.
"The state of unregeneracy is like that. Some men are always down below the surface, underground, as it were, in the villainy and criminality of flagrant wickedness. Others range upon the ordinary surface with little or no thought of change. At the same time, you are on the summit of Mount Morality; but you are all still in Colorado—as one might say, in the State of Unregeneracy."
He looked at me in dumb amazement for a moment. Then, without a word of argument, he exclaimed: "You have knocked the props out from under me. I am with you."
With that, the eminent young physician walked down the aisle to the place of prayer. There, in true humility, he owned his lost estate, and besought the saving grace of the Savior of sinners. Before long he confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.
Friend, are you exalting yourself on a high peak of morality? Remember the words of the lowly Man of Sorrows: "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:1111For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11).