Pride – Justification Assaulted
These six things the
Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the
spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a
lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [Ps. 120:2, 3.] 18 A heart
that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to
evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who
sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 16:16-19
The Bible doesn’t beat around the bush. One of the seven things that the
Lord hates, and is the number one thing on the list is PRIDE.
Now before you start thinking
of someone who needs to hear this – this isn’t about them. It’s about YOU and
ME!
Listen to what Puritan
writer, William Gurnall wrote about pride in his masterful work, The Christian Armor:
This doctrine of
justification by faith has had more assaults made against it than any other
teaching in Scripture. Indeed, many other errors were but the enemy's sly
approaches to get nearer to undermine this one. When Satan cannot hide the
truth, he works to hinder the practical application of it. Thus you see
Christians who speak in defense of justification by faith, yet their attitude
and actions contradict their profession. Like Abraham, when he went in to
Hagar, they try to accomplish God's purpose by a carnal plan. All these efforts
that seem so noble are really baseborn, for they
are rooted in pride.
At bottom, pride in your own abilities is what keeps
you working for righteousness. You keep trying to pray harder, working to be a
better Christian, laboring to have more faith. You keep telling yourself,
"I can do it!"
But you will soon find
your own grace insufficient for even the smallest task, and your joy will run
out at the crannies of your imperfect duties and weak graces.
The language of pride
hankers after the covenant of works. The only way out of this trap is to let
the new covenant cut the cord of the old one, and acknowledge that the grace of
Christ supersedes the works of the law.
Satan uses two types
of pride to keep us trusting in the worth of our own grace. One I call a mannerly
pride; the other, a self-applauding pride. Mannerly pride tiptoes in,
disguised as humility. This is a soul that weeps and mourns for its vile
condition, yet refuses to be comforted. It is true-not one of us can paint our
sins black enough to do them justice. But think how you discredit God's mercy
and Christ's merit when you say they are not enough to buy your pardon! Can you
find no better way to show your sense of sin than to malign the Savior? Are you
unwilling to be in Christ's debt for your salvation, or too proud to beg His forgiveness?
William Gurnall. The Christian in Complete Armour
(Kindle Locations 1491-1498). Kindle Edition.
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Take
some time to evaluate your own heart today. If the Holy Spirit is knocking – let
Him search your heart. I am doing that today too! – Bill Welte is President and
CEO of America’s Keswick
Team YOU: 2 Samuel 19-20; Proverbs 24; Luke 19
Motivations: Grace infused in the sweet fragrances of
suffering and brokenness for Christ's sake results in a concentrated, undefiled
extract of heaven. Katherine Walden
Practice to Remember:
Level 1:Ephesians
6:2-3; Level 2: Ephesians 5:15-21
Powered Up: In reality, the denial of prayer is a denial
of God himself. E. M. Bounds
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