Enough of Spiritual Pride! – by Eliezer Gonzalez

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Feb 2, 2016 2329

In this age of mega-churches and mega-institution and mega-ministries, it can be easy to fall into the perilous pitfall of pride.

Could it be that sometimes we focus so much on the growth of our church or ministry that we pretend that we’re praising God for it, when all the time we’re just backslapping and congratulating ourselves. Could there be an element of that? How often do we throw parties just for ourselves?

In September 1985, the Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported a celebration at a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people gathered, including 100 certified lifeguards. As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season.

We need to make sure that we are at the right party – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. And those who will get there will be those who are focused on the Gospel – a message that compels us to seek and save the lost, from a heart steeped in Christ’s compassion and love.

The Gospel is a joyful celebration of Christ’s accomplished salvation, offered freely to all. When our lives are focused on the Gospel, we will be passionately involved in sharing that message. There is no greater joy!

In this story, the life-savers were congratulating each other so happily about how good they were at their jobs, while someone drowned in their midst. Could it be that while we have having a great time in church, praising, singing, hearing glowing reports, multitudes are dying outside its walls? Or, God forbid, even within our churches?

Enough of spiritual pride! If we wish to glory in anything, let it be in the Lord.

And having discovered the joy of salvation ourselves, let’s be God’s lifesavers. Let’s be always on duty.

Then our praise and worship will be acceptable to God.

– Eliezer Gonzalez