Luke 14: 1, 7-14; Philemon 1:1-21; Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1
Pride and self-serving motives can be very dangerous characteristics for the Christian. These attributes reflect the behavior of the world and are even encouraged by many of the world systems but can become deadly for the Christian. They are dangerous because of their stealth. They can enter our thinking unawares, slowly at first, a word here, a word there; an action here, an action there, almost unnoticeable. Then some folks notice our seemingly good doings and load us up with compliments. But the feelings of power and self-satisfaction grow to the point that we don’t think we really need God anymore; we can do it ourselves and besides, I’m so smart and good, I deserve it! Due to my haughtiness, thinking my neighbor is so far below me, I can’t be bothered to serve him. Because God loves His children and disciplines them, the axe is about to fall!
Jesus clearly discriminates the actions between the prideful and the humble in a parable from Luke 14. He also clearly describes the results of each attitude and action. Some folks who were invited to a wedding, who thought they were pretty hot stuff, pushed their way up front to the best seats in the house. After all, because of their positions and prestige they should be so honored, right? Not so fast. The wedding steward didn’t share their view of themselves, and in front of everybody, told them to take a seat in the back…how humiliating. Those of humbler disposition, who took a seat in the back, were honored by the steward and in front of the crowd were invited to move up to the better seats.
Jesus concludes this parable by saying, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The key is who does what. If you humble yourself, God won’t have to humble you, but He will reward you. If you exalt yourself, God will do the humbling which will be much more severe than any false honor you may lose by humbling yourself.
This issue can be much more severe than a momentary humiliation at a wedding. A lifetime of self-exaltation without repentance will lead to a rejection of entrance into the kingdom of God. Pride will lead to reject to the submission of the Lordship of Christ which will end in damnation.
Jesus goes on to illustrate a similar problem of selfish motivations. He talks about reasons for inviting someone to dinner. Again, this wrong thinking can even begin in our subconscious where we might not even be totally aware of why we do a good works. When you do something nice or unexpected to someone, like invite them to dinner, are you doing it totally out of love and grace, or because maybe deep down you’re expecting some return on your investment? When you compliment or say some nice things about someone on Facebook, are maybe you really looking for a return compliment, or how may “likes” you get?
Pride and selfish motivations are consistent results of the fall and our resulting depravity. We need to be on the constant lookout of how we view ourselves and our motives for our actions. Fortunately, because of the grace of God as His children with reborn, new hearts, He has given us the power, insight and strength to combat these evil desires which the world does not have. When we fail, the merit of Jesus is accrued to our accounts, and the grace of our Lord assures our ultimate salvation.
Mark Packer
Church Elder