Devo 11/11/20
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Pride - but not pride as we normally think of it. Not a conscious idea that we are better than others or even better than we are. Not an “I am so important” or “so good” kind of pride.
Most of us don’t suffer from that kind of pride - a pride that is knowingly and purposely self-exalting, that exudes self-righteousness, or that consciously pursues self-interest.
No. I am talking about the kind of pride that we all give in to. The kind of pride that subtly masks itself as principle and convinces us that we are only doing what’s right.
You know, exactly the kind of pride that Jesus and the Apostles warned us against.
And it is exactly the kind of pride that Satan, sin, and the world encourage.
You know, in today’s world, where everyone gets the trophy at the end of the season because nobody has to lose.
Where we are told that all good things come from within and all bad things come from without - as in, we can do anything we want and be anything we want, and if we aren’t, then just find someone to blame.
Where every other radio commercial is from a lawyer telling you what you are entitled to, and where you can sue the one who made your coffee too hot to spill on yourself.
Where politicians from both sides try to get elected as the one who will get you what you deserve and let you keep it.
It is a far cry from Jesus’ warning that those who will be last are the ones who will be first. It is the alternate path from taking up your cross and following Jesus.
Let’s call it the path of “I deserve”. It is the path of pride.
Because pride subtly turns us from believing that we have nothing we have not received from the gracious hand of God - to believing that what we have is rightfully ours. We earned it, and we deserve it.
And we forget that the punishment Jesus endured on the cross is all we ever rightfully earned.
Pride tells us that we deserve to be treated well by others. That if we do what’s right, then we shouldn’t suffer wrong from others. Because that’s what I deserve.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
And that’s what it comes down to: pride subtly turns our expectation of suffering in this present world, to expectations that we shouldn’t have to.
Pride forgets the blessing Jesus pronounced on us when He said:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Pride forgets that sufferings are a blessing when we suffer for doing right.
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
And when we don’t count this all as blessing, it is because pride has sneaked in. Because we step lightly onto the road of “I deserve” without even knowing it.
And when we feel all the other emotions we have discussed in this series, it is very often because we have strayed from the straight and narrow, onto the road of “I deserve”. Pride is not just the root of so many other sins, it is the cause of so many other emotions!
It’s often why we feel:
Sad - because we didn’t get what we deserve - because our good was met with evil
Anxious - because we are afraid we will lose what’s rightfully ours, or because we wonder if things will go our way
Angry - because our good was met with evil and we want to give some evil right back
It’s very often why we don’t feel:
Joy - because we deserve more or deserve better!
Love - remember, we are called to love even our enemies
And believe me, I am very familiar with this kind of pride and the emotions it causes.
Recent story of “someone” who I worked hard to help with a situation, it didn’t work out, and I was told that he blames me for it not working out
I felt all the emotions - sadness, anger, anxiousness
I allowed the situation to, for a time, steal my joy, and I even felt very unloving toward this person for a few days
And then I read these words in my Bible about Jesus:
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
And I was reminded about Him Who gave up everything He deserved for my sake - how the only One Who ever really deserved good took the sufferings of this world for me, to forgive me for the wrong I did to Him!
And I remembered why Jesus died.
To redeem my Spiritually - to save me from the eternal punishment of sin.
To redeem me physically - to raise me from the dead, like He was raised, when He comes again in glory.
And here’s the part pride makes me forget:
Jesus died to redeem me emotionally. He died so suffering, reviling, receiving evil for the good I at least try to do - so that these do not have to make me angry or anxious or steal my joy or affect how I love.
And all we have to do to forget the notion of “I deserve” - is remember all that Jesus has given us that we don’t deserve.
And that subtle pride that draws our eyes off of Him and onto ourselves, will have less and less power over us.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, and your eyes will stay off of yourself.
Rest in what He has given you, and you will find that you have more than you deserve.
Entrust yourself - body, mind, spirit, and emotions - to the One Who encourages us to count it all blessing when we lose by any worldly standard - because He has promised that He has won it all for us.
He has overcome the world, He has defeated the devil, He has conquered sin.
And if we keep our eyes on Him, He will crush our pride, and redeem us from every emotion it causes.
I end this series on emotions with the words of an old hymn:
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.