WHEN WE OPERATE under our own power and the results are rewarding, we feel a sense of well-being mentally and emotionally that perhaps extends to a perception of will and emotion existing in proper balance. It’s a good feeling, but there are potential seductive forces at work. We should exercise our will in good judgment, and make the choices that reward planning, effort, and execution. And, we should enjoy not only the fruits of our labors but even the labors themselves. “I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.” (Ecc. 5:18) Solomon reflected upon man’s lot, and in this same context said, “As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?” (Ecc. 5:16) The rewards of our labors can seduce us into failing to recognize that the days of our life are few. Moses gives timeless and pertinent counsel, words to heed: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psa. 90:12)
Gross temptation is one thing. The ancient “Seven Deadly Sins” of pride, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, sloth, and wrath are just as deadly today as they ever have been, and the relatively mature Jesus-follower is usually fairly capable of seeing them as they are, and usually avoiding them. But what if those sins are not repulsive, but attractional? What if pride, for instance, cloaks itself with a semblance of reasonable satisfaction in a job well finished, a skill mastered, or a good deed done? Seduction is the art of flattery directed to the desire of the heart; we usually think of this in respect to someone attempting to gain from us. But what if we are seduced by the very desire of our own heart made possible seemingly by our own skills and labor? This may seem to us as only reasonable and righteous.
Paul sees through this self-deception, because Paul has personally lived through this on his journey from ultra-righteous Pharisee to humble follower of Jesus. Thinking of such things, he says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12) And in addressing the journey from pride to humility, he touches upon God’s grace— “God is faithful” —and also in his mercy “he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Cor. 10:13b)
Jesus will one day present himself to the Father with the objects of his mission, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28) And, he will say, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” (Isa. 8:18) As we contemplate this resolution of his trials in our world and the promises of the next, we must do so in the light of Jesus’ perfection. He was refined in the fires of his great afflictions, untarnished by his trials, having never succumbed to temptation. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Heb. 2:14-15) It is not our story, but his that gleams so brightly. We only shine when we bask in his light.
“But wait,” says one the who has fallen. “He doesn’t know what it is like to struggle; he’s the Son of God! He doesn’t know the pain I’ve been through, and the way I’ve been both maltreated and ignored.” This is egregious self-deceit in the face of the clearly contradictory testimony of scripture. Son of God? Yes. Special powers? No. Give careful thought to this: Jesus, though “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:6-8) And, having done so, he “had to be made like us in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb. 12:17-18)
Jesus’ special powers were unswerving faith and absolute obedience to his Father; these same exact powers are available to us. We must choose whether to face life’s trials in our own powers or in the ones he provides us. We are warned; “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18) Jesus is our way out of ourselves and into God’s grace, and only pride would keep us from eagerly accepting what he offers.
Q. Specifically where is my pride separating me from God’s power?
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