Crawlers and Climbers

“We disobey the Lord’s example in two ways. The first is the error of the permanent pietist — one whose faith rests in his own desire to be holy. He takes the lowest seat, and refuses to budge when invited up. He is too holy to receive God’s promotion. He is, in fact, like all pietists, holier than Jesus. The second error is that of the social climber who, despite Christ’s pointed warnings, strives directly for the highest seat” (Heaven Misplaced, p. 74).