These words humble God's people. Though they are called God's vine, by nature, they're no different from others. By God's goodness, they've become fruitful, planted in good soil. The Lord has nurtured them in the sanctuary, and they produce fruit for His glory. But what are they without God? What are they without the Spirit's continual influence bringing life to them? Believer, reject pride; you have no reason for it.

No matter what you possess, you have nothing to be proud about. The more you have, the more you owe to God, and pride over that which makes you a debtor is misplaced. Reflect on your origins; remember what you were and consider what you would be without God's grace.

Look at yourself now. Doesn't your conscience remind you of your unworthiness, with all your wanderings testifying against you? If God has made something of you, isn't it grace that has set you apart?

Even the greatest believer would have been a great sinner without God's intervention. If you're bold for truth, you'd be equally bold for error if grace hadn't reached you. So, don't be proud, even if you have a vast estate of grace. You once possessed nothing but sin and misery. It’s foolishness to exalt yourself when everything is borrowed. You're a dependent on your Savior, living only through Jesus' life-giving stream, yet you boast? Shame on you, foolish heart!