Post by Chaplain Elizabeth on Mar 6, 2015 9:41:11 GMT -5
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
- James 4:6
Most of us fall into the trap of pride at some time. We all want to be recognized, acknowledged. It's a human trait, yet God expects Christians to be spiritual. People tell us how wonderful we are, and oops - pride flows like spilt milk.
People are proud of almost any achievement: the schoolboy his completed homework; the football fan his team; the tennis player his prowess; the father having a son, daughter going to university. Yet we should be giving God the credit for everything.
But it is that same pride that causes us to quickly fall from our self-placed pedestal (Proverbs 29:23). Similarly, our opening verse says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Of course the humbleness has to be genuine - and God knows if it is.
Pride is one of the evils that Jesus lists (Mark 7:22-23) - so if we do have any pride we need to be able to recognize it. Sometimes pride creeps in and we don't even realize it is there.
Pride has even crept into our churches. It seems many times that the church takes credit for its work in the community, its growth, and its good fortune. Even in mission sharing tracts we often see the church being advertised prominently, with a quick blurb about salvation.
Let us focus on the grace, glory, mercy, compassion, provision, the greatness of God. For even the next breath we take is by His grace. Let us remember that everything we are able to do, is because of the talents and gifts God has given us.
"To God be the glory, great things He hath done." What He has done, not what we have done.
- James 4:6
Most of us fall into the trap of pride at some time. We all want to be recognized, acknowledged. It's a human trait, yet God expects Christians to be spiritual. People tell us how wonderful we are, and oops - pride flows like spilt milk.
People are proud of almost any achievement: the schoolboy his completed homework; the football fan his team; the tennis player his prowess; the father having a son, daughter going to university. Yet we should be giving God the credit for everything.
But it is that same pride that causes us to quickly fall from our self-placed pedestal (Proverbs 29:23). Similarly, our opening verse says God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Of course the humbleness has to be genuine - and God knows if it is.
Pride is one of the evils that Jesus lists (Mark 7:22-23) - so if we do have any pride we need to be able to recognize it. Sometimes pride creeps in and we don't even realize it is there.
Pride has even crept into our churches. It seems many times that the church takes credit for its work in the community, its growth, and its good fortune. Even in mission sharing tracts we often see the church being advertised prominently, with a quick blurb about salvation.
Let us focus on the grace, glory, mercy, compassion, provision, the greatness of God. For even the next breath we take is by His grace. Let us remember that everything we are able to do, is because of the talents and gifts God has given us.
"To God be the glory, great things He hath done." What He has done, not what we have done.