Sunday, 1 December 2019

Pride?

Tweet

1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"

Let's answer these 3 questions one at a time. Who makes you different? It is God the creator of heaven and earth who made the miracle that is you. Psalm 139:14 "I praise You, for I am awesomely, wonderfully made! Wonderful are Your works - and my soul knows that very well."

The second question is "What do you have that you did not receive?" This question calls us to an ongoing sense of gratitude. When someone gives you something, it is natural to say, "Thank you." The reason this question is asked is to point out that everything we have we have received from God, to Whom all thanks is due. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The last question is, "But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" It's that pride thing again. In the middle of the Avinu Malkenu prayer on Yom Kippur we have this Hebrew phrase, Ki Ayn Banu Ma'asim. It means "because there is nothing in us to make anything out of."

Since we have received everything from God, we cannot have an attitude of prideful accomplishment, but rather just be thankful for God's blessing. The Scripture that supports this thought is in the Torah.

Deuteronomy 8:18 "Rather you are to remember Adonai your God, for it is He who gives you power to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant that He swore to your fathers - as it is this day."

Stay humble my friends.