The False Hope of the Man Walking in a Way That Seems Right to Him

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12.

We can never enough call to mind, love and praise our good shepherd, who came to seek, and save us, from our own way, which seemeth right in our eyes. What way is this? A most dangerous one. It is the way of wickedness, in which we have strong confidence of our own righteousness. Every man is naturally in this way. The most openly profane, as well as the decent Pharisee, possesses some hope in himself, that he has done, or can do something to save himself, and that his way is right, and shall end well at the last.
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A false hope, built upon self-righteousness, keeps up their spirits. How long? Till they go down to hell with a lie in their right hand: Or till the Spirit of God convinces them of sin: shews them their condemnation for sin: and that they are destitute of righteousness—that nothing short of an absolute perfect one, can justify them before God—and that this is only to be found in the Son of God. Now every way leads to some end. The way that seems right in a man’s own eyes, will end in death: in the death of hope, and destruction of the soul. The man, who is in this way, that seemeth right unto him, is ever exalting his own righteousness, and decrying the imputed righteousness of Christ. Stop, O soul, and consider, what way art thou in? That which seems right in thy own sight, or, that which God declares is right in his? Remember, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he who hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15.) Jesus is our counsellor. Hearken to him. He says, “I am the way.” (John 14:6.)

- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God, Volume 2, June 6