Self-Religion

The religion that is built on self is worthless; for God makes no compromise with selfishness. . . .
The religion of Christ is a firm fabric, composed of innumerable threads, woven together with tact and skill. Only by the wisdom that God gives can we weave this fabric. Trusting to ourselves, we draw into it threads of selfishness, and the pattern is spoiled.
There are many kinds of cloth which at first have a fine appearance, but they do not endure test. The colors are not fast. They wash out. Under the heat of summer they fade, and are lost. Such a fabric cannot endure rough handling, and is worth very little.
So it is with religion. When the warp and woof of religion will not stand the test of trial, the material of which it is composed is worthless. And an effort to patch the old cloth with a new piece does not better the condition of things; for the worn-out, flimsy material breaks away from the new, leaving the rent much larger than before. Patching will not do. The only way is to discard the old garment and procure a new one. The religion of self, composed of threads that fade and give way under the stress of temptation, must be cast aside, to be replaced by the religion woven by Him in whose life no selfishness found place.
Christ’s plan is the only safe one. He declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” Rev. 21:5. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. The Saviour gives no encouragement to any to think that He will accept a patchwork religion. Such a religion is of no value in His sight. There may at first seem to be some of self and some of Christ; but it soon seen that there is none of Christ. The patches of selfishness increase till the entire garment is covered with them. . . .
A religion formed after the divine pattern is the only one that will endure. Only by striving to live the life of Christ here can we prepare ourselves to live with Him through the eternal ages.

Our Father Cares, page 113

This illustration amazed me. It's not often that you find illustrations in Ellen White's writings that are her own, and if you do, most of them are short one-liners. But this one struck me with its simple truth. Selfishness is worth nothing, it'll get us nowhere, yet we use it as much as we can. It's a lot easier to think about what you want, not what others want, or even what God's plan is. But we're just going to end up as torn, gaping garments. Our religion is worthless; it can't hold us together, and when the true storms of life come crashing in, we will fall. If there is any bit of self, there will be seen none of Christ.