Pride and Prejudice
Philippians 2:5-8 … think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
We all have a sense of entitlement about certain things in our lives. I’m entitled to respect. I’m entitled to be treated fairly. I’m entitled … well, fair enough. But at some point, that sense of entitlement steps over the line.
We sometimes behave as though there’s a hierarchy of sins; as though some sins are worse than others, even though in God’s eyes there’s no such thing as a “small sin”. But there is one sin that’s bigger than almost any other, not because it’s any worse in God’s eyes, but because it spawns much of the evil in our lives. And that sin … is pride.
One of the symptoms of pride is the exhaustion that comes from carrying its burdens day after day. And you know that feeling when you’re carrying something heavy around; the longer you carry it, the heavier it gets, the more it hurts and the more the pain screams out at you STOP THIS!
And the answer, the only answer, is to lay down the load – to get rid of it. Be honest, is pride doing you in? Then give it to Jesus; give the burden to Him and discover the amazing peace and rest that humility brings.
Philippians 2:5-8 … think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
Humility means laying down the burden of pride. Sure it’ll hurt, but then … peace and rest.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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