Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Ezekiel 33:11 – Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’
The most horrible thing in this world is not poverty, or suffering, or death. The worst thing that can happen occur is when at the end of life one is found to still be separated from Jesus. The condition of one’s relation to Jesus is condition of the relationship that one will live with God for eternity. There are no second chances. There is no place to work off your sins. Hebrews 9:27 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” clearly states that we only die once (so no reincarnation) and that after we die our next event in life (yes, it eternally continues) is to be before Jesus whom in our life we have either rejected or embraced. Jesus said in John 14:6 that it is only through Him that we are made acceptable to live eternally with God. People always want to try to do it their own way, but God our Creator did not give us that option. There is only one way to have peace with God and that is by submitting to Jesus as Savior and as Lord (Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus was the final sacrifice for our sins and now there is no other (Hebrews 10:14). People are always thinking that they will do it their own way, but the guarantee is that the future will bring them to their knees in regret (Proverbs 19:11, Philippians 2:9-11). The truth is that when a person’s heart is proud, it will be humbled (Matthew 23:12).
God has given us the Gospel, the “Good News.” The Good News is that no person needs to die in their pride while still resisting God. He has expressed to us that if we humble ourselves before God, then He will lift us up (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). He has given us a clear path to salvation. With that salvation comes peace and joy that is based on God’s love, really, on who God Himself is. Romans 10:9-11 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Whether in this life, or the next, pride will bring to man an eternal sentence of poverty of God, deep down suffering of the Spirit and disgrace. But that need not be any person’s destiny. God has a plan of peace to live with Him (Jeremiah 29:11). Who resists love? Yet those who are proud resist the love of God and peace with God. God desires not only to save us (John 3:16) but to live with us for eternity. To protect us and care for us and to, when life on this earth is over, bring us home to a place in His home that is especially prepared for us (John 14:2). The choice is simple. Pride is the barrier. Why not come to Him and live with and for Him?
Family, after we are in Him, let’s resist pride. The answer for all our needs is not within our own abilities but is found in Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We will always remember that and thank Him for that. Let’s be mindful that all blessings come from Him (James 1:17). Let look upon nothing done through us and be swelled up with pride, but be thankful to God who gave us the ability, and who also could take the ability away. Are we wealthy, thank God. Are we healthy, thank God. In all things let us thank God (Ephesians 5:20). Pride separates us from God and then heartache follows. Let us be humble and thankful. Living in such a way will bring peace. Our God is good and He loves us. Praise God! Give Him all the credit. Thank Him. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.