by Larry Burkett
Ezekiel 26, 27, 28
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips" (Proverbs 27:2).
Our society has taught us that if we don't show self-confidence others won't have confidence in us either. We live in a time when a great deal of emphasis is placed on personal credentials.Qualifications are based on personal achievements, education, and experience. And, when viewed in the right perspective, these things are good; but, when they produce pride, they lose their value from a godly perspective.
There is no doubt that we should work with all our might in whatever we do; but, the presence of pride indicates confidence in self rather than in Christ, who enables us.
Pride is an enemy of God, the cause of the fall of both Lucifer and of man. The attitude God wants us to have is demonstrated by the story of a convicted prisoner.
With Napoleon's permission, a Russian prince was allowed to pardon one convict in a French prison. As he t alked with the prisoners, each one professed innocence and said they had been unjustly punished. Finally, he found a man who sorrowfully confessed his guilt and acknowledged that he was deserving of the punishment. To this man the prince said, "I have brought you pardon in the name of the emperor."
Isn't this the way we receive our salvation? And isn't it the way we live our Christian lives? The next time you are tempted to "watch out for number one," remember that Number One (Jesus) died nearly 2,000 years ago and now lives in the hearts of the humble.
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