God dislikes Pride and Arrogance
“God dislikes Pride and Arrogance” . . I guess there is no other way to say it. According to the writings in Proverbs, this is true. It seems that some folk are quick to point out what they feel our Father in Heaven detests and tend to point their fingers at those they feel He disapproves of. In the same text, it also says that He hates a forward mouth; which means, He very much dislikes those who cannot control their tongue. Is it not true, that when we look down on others, we are showing forth arrogance; forgetting our pit.
Just because someone’s understanding differs from ours, does not make them evil. We’re not going to begin to love people as we should, until we see that many people, are doing the very best they know how to do. We are definitely being arrogant, when we judge others, forgetting what God has done for us and where He has brought us from. Being unthankful and ungrateful, is one of the greatest failures of this end time world; a real sign. I can’t imagine how those of us with skeletons in our own closets, can dare to put down other people; when we should be the first to show real mercy.
Using the name of Jesus Christ to make money, and live a high life style, is evil; we need to see it as it is. Using God’s people, and the funds that they contribute toward His house, for setting up our own personal kingdom, is the same; it’s wicked. Petting and showing partiality to those who give more to our cause, is harmful to the body and soul; it causes good people to feel less than. It seems, that the widow’s mites, have long since been forgotten; although Christ said, that she gave more than all the others. We once knew, that God does not like pride; it was something to repent over.
We say that certain folk do not love God, because we judge them by their outward appearance. It’s likely that we have thrown away a lot of good folk, because they did not look like we thought they should have looked. It still does not resonate with many, that what you look like on the outside, does not always reflect what is on the inside. We sometimes act like Jesus did not know what He was talking about; but He did, He experienced it among His own people. And those kind, hated Him, with a dire passion, because He dared speak the truth about them. It literally cost Him his life. It did.
“I love them that love me” (Proverbs 8:17). I found this today, and it lifted me. It clearly says, that God loves those, who love Him. It’s not up to me today to say who loves God, and who does not. All I need to know today, is that if I love Him, He loves me back. Nobody can take that from me. It’s my own relationship with God that counts the most; not what other people think about me.
I do believe there are principles and attributes we are to aim for and we must also aim for the very best that we can do. I won’t have to worry about having too much pride, as long as I humble myself before Him. Arrogance, disappears, when you fall on your face before God. It always does.
I was flipping through channels one day and happened across a cartoon depicting Abraham leading Issac to Mount Moriah. I don’t really watch cartoons but I tuned in just when Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. (Genesis 22:7-8 NLT)
The child Isaac willingly trusted himself to his father’s care. His innocence to what was about to happen was amazing to me. And so most of you know the story. The bible continued to say. “When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:9-12 NLT)
Jesus wholeheartedly trusted Our Father but unlike Issac was obedient into death. His love and devotion was demonstrated by his determination to push toward His goal: the crucifixion. In a level of love and devotion beyond human capability he obeyed His father and gave up His life willingly on the cross, so you and I could be free from the bondage of condemnation, son, guilt, shame, despair , suffering, and recieve His righteousness, favor, honor, peace, love, a heavenly family, and much more!
Jesus says “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.”(John 6:38 NLT)
“And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
See how much Our Father Loves Us! “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. ” (John 3:16-21 NLT)
Let’s focus on Christ , whom is our protection, because turning to your own knowledge, understanding, strength is essentially what God calls “a person who loves darkness.”
I am reminded by the gold lamp stand, which God the Father, lead Israel to create. The bible says: “Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.” (Exodus 25:32-33 NLT)
Why was the Holy Spirit so detailed in His description of what the lamp stand should look like?There were 6 lamp cups, the number of man. And from our careful study of the word there was only one who fulfilled law and redeemed his people. One whom was fully God and fully man, named Jesus. And in revelation we see Jesus among the 7 lamp stands moving amoung men!! It is no longer 6 lamp stand the number of man but 7, or spiritual completion! Our resurrected Lord who moves among the 7 churches! “When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. (Revelation 1:12-13 NLT)
His work on the Cross was powerful! Our Lord cried ” It is finished” for his mighty act created salvation for many and made it possible for our Lord to give us life in the Spirit and commune with us! We are able to recieve from God’s Spirit who dwells inside us and guides us and teaches us. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. (John 6:45 NLT)
“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen”. (2 Peter 3:18 NLT)
Bless you my brothers and sisters. May you continue to grow on the rich knowledge , grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus.