PRIDE CAUSES 3 MAJOR CATASTROPHES IN US...
1) IT MAKES US BLAME OTHERS: "Why does God allow all the suffering in the world ?"is a common complaint I hear around the world... we are quick to complain about suffering incoming, but slow to ever consider suffering outgoing... that we might be a cause or even part of the issue.
2) IT MAKES US LIVE SHORTSIGHTEDLY: When we are healthy and life is good, we convince ourselves we are indestructible. We are happy to take God's gifts but we miss out on a full relationship and communing with the giver of all good things. Some may pause to pray on a hospital bed before a major op, but any big sentiment to God is quickly forgotten when "life" under our terms resumes as "normal"
3) WE MISS OUT …ON HOW BIG GOD'S MISSION OF MERCY AND GOODNESS IN CHRIST IS TO THE PLANET.
The life of God offered to the soul of mankind is greater than a quick fix for today, it is an eternal friendship, joy and purpose in his uncontainable glory and love, as it spreads wider than we can comprehend. Sadly we miss this in the selfishness and narrow-mindedness of our condition.
A STORY OF PRIDE, MECRY AND DIGNITY
Luke 17:11-19 happens in borderlands territory., as Jesus journeys to the cross. To Jesus there are no boundaries to his mercy (either racial, geographical or religious ability).
- Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Since the fall of man, pride - our own assessment of our abilities and worth has been blasphemously overestimated. We think we are unqualifiedly deserving, that glory and gifts are our divine right. Gen 11:4. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” What resulted was a scattering disunity and chaos, a manmade mess so big that non could comprehend other than the one who overturned it (ACTS 2:1-13) by his grace.
A grateful Christian is someone who knows they have been impossibly rescued and given dignity at great incalculable price (2 COR 9:15), delivered at great cost (Romans 7:25) to serve in great appreciation (1 TIM 1:12). Victory for Christ cost everything (1 Cor 15:57, 2 Cor 2:14), which means that our kindness (2 Cor 6:16, Phil 1:3 , 2 Cor 8:16), obedience (Romans 6:17), and fellowship with others (2 Tim 1:3) is our appropriate response of worship (Romans 12:1-2) . Gratitude for Jesus results in a no boundaries response... for missional mercy wherever he wants us to go... to be 100% unselfish with his grace and mercy.
Lord help me to trust and not just take, to think so that I might thank, and consider that I might confess. In you I find all my hope, dignity, treasure and delight.
is wider than the greatest sea;
and so I know it covers even me.
There’s a depth to His compassion that is
deeper than I’ll understand;
and so my life is safe within His hands.
His love is deep enough for me,
to cause these blinded eyes to see,
to set this lowly captive free from sin.
His grace is flowing from above,
revealed in the Saviour’s love
O precious Father, help me take it in
O give thanks to THE LORD for his mercy endures forever
(Ps 106:1)
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