One thing about grace is that it humbles a person. You have to get used to the fact that God gives you what you don't deserve all the time. Air becomes a gift. Life becomes a gift. Abilities are a gift. Weaknesses are also. God's power keeps us.
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:16-17 ESV
God's power keeps creation from dissolving away. God's power keeps our friendships and our marriages. His power allows our will to function and our brain to process thoughts.
Pride is such a dangerous sin because it loses sight of grace. Pride is possessive and exalts itself. Pride sees favor as deserved and gifts as ornaments to it's identity. Pride exercises power because of ability. Pride compares possessions. Pride is deceptive. All of us are susceptible to it. Any fallen person can be filled with pride.
God did not create pride. Pride is the individual mismanagement of God's generosity. Angels invented it and fell from Heaven because of it. Mankind came under the influence of those angels and also fell.
Jesus is devoid of pride. He is the perfect manager of God's gifts. He got what He didn't deserve and gives others what they don't deserve in love. Anyone who comes under His covering can have a different mind. The mind of humility sees grace. This mind sees favor apart from merit. This mind sees stewardship of possessions. This mind gives second, third and forth chances because it is rich in mercy.
Mercy destroys pride complexes so that grace can be recognized. Mercy wipes away the past. It wipes away the affects of the bad things that hurt us. That is what it is most known for. But, It also wipes away the seemingly good things that we valued as important but were based on a wrong premise. Mercy reduces us to zero and gives us a clean slate so that God can love us and really it is His love that gives us value.
Today is a new day and I need mercy this morning. I need it to take out the trash and I also need it to clear my shelf of all it's shiny trophies so that I can live in grace. Whatever I have is a gift. I go to work but the opportunity to make money is a gift and I aim to be a better steward today than I was yesterday.
People, all of them, are gifts.
Another day of life is a gift.
Thank you God. We are not going to try and pay You back. We are just going to take what You have given. Be glorified today and keep us from the blindness of pride.
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