Tag: proud
Clash of the world-views!
Scripture reading for April 15: John 7
“The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this Man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”” John 7:45-52
Many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were a proud and judgmental bunch. They were jealous of Jesus and the crowds that followed Him. They plotted to trap Him and kill him. They mocked the guards that were in awe of Jesus’ teaching. They resented that He was not part of their click. They accused any of their own number who questioned their accusations as being deceived by Him. They accused the crowds of being under a curse. When our world view sees Jesus as a threat and His followers as deceived, what we accuse others of is most often what we are doing ourselves. We are deceived and under a curse from the evil one. Our soul is in danger and we blame Jesus and His followers!
This controversy is alive and well in our time and culture. Those that are under deception mock Jesus and seek to block Him and His Word from their lives. And if this is not sufficient, they seek to remove His influence from our culture and government, making un-godly laws and waging warfare against God and His people. If anyone disagrees or stands up for Jesus, they are mocked, persecuted and cancelled. If only they would listen to Jesus and consider His Word. If they could look in the mirror and see their own spirit of murder and lies, they could repent and escape the curse of true deception and eternal hell.
Have you experienced some of the same treatment in our time and culture? What are some ways that you have avoided deception and judging those who accuse or mistreat Christians and Jews? Do you take time to give those who oppose you a hearing and seek to peaceable share the Good News?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing patience with me in my early years of opposition to You and Your people. Help me today to love my enemies and do good to those who would oppose me. Give me grace to love them and pray for their salvation. Amen.
Grace to the Humble!
Scripture reading for November 5th: James 4, Psalm 71, Proverbs 5
Key Scriptures: James 4:6-10 “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
James knew what he needed and the people of God would need as they walked through this pride-filled world influenced by demonic power. More grace was the antidote that would keep them all on the right path. James taught that “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34) He encouraged all people to humble themselves before God by drawing near to Him to confess sin and receive cleansing. God would draw near to them and exalt them in due time.
Faith Confession: I humbly draw near to God and seek Him for forgiveness and grace to share His mighty works of salvation in my old age, to those who are coming behind me. I praise Jesus Christ for His righteousness and grace to His people.
Psalm 71:17-18 “O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.”