To humble ourselves, we must first be willing to detect pride in our heart. But recognizing it isn't the same as getting rid of it. Here are several common areas of pride and some solutions for dealing with them.
Possessions. Start giving things away. We can begin by honoring God with our tithe. He promises that our nine-tenths will go farther than ten-tenths. The next step is to give to someone in need who can give nothing in return. But don't parade your generosity around; keep it as secret as you can (Matt. 6:1-4).
Position. Acknowledge that whatever you have accomplished, God has done it for you (Isa. 26:12). Then ask Him to show you an area of service that has no rank or credit. Knowing that the Lord values every kind of service, we shouldn't hesitate to request a place that is lower than we're accustomed to. Our position in this world matters only to the extent that we use it to glorify God (James 1:9-11).
Privilege. Realize that many things you may take pride in come through privilege. None of us is truly "self-made"; no matter how hard you've worked, others have made sacrifices to allow you the opportunities and freedoms you enjoy. Remember, it is actually God's grace that has blessed you with whatever knowledge you may credit yourself for having.
No matter what kind of pride we deal with, we must take the focus off of ourselves, turning it first to God and then to others. When we are willing to confront our pride actively, God will replace it with a spirit of humility that fits who we are in Christ.
Humility is a healthy, godly sense of our merits, talents, and achievements. In the life of the believer, one thing stands as an obstacle to humility: pride. To think of oneself above others is the exact opposite of the humble mindset God calls His children to demonstrate (Phil. 2:3). Pride is deceitful in that we might not recognize it in our own hearts. Even more dangerous is the person who is proud on the inside and yet appears humble to others. But God cannot be fooled.
Our heavenly Father hates pride because He knows the destructive power it can have in our lives. When we are proud, what we’re really saying is that we know better than God. He places pride—“haughty eyes”—at the top of the list of seven abominations. That doesn’t mean that He hates the person who is prideful. God loves all of us. Because of that love, He despises anything that will bring harm to us.
Pride blocks our communication with God. Scripture tells us God opposes the proud (James 4:6), so we must recognize that such an attitude will affect communication with Him. We can’t expect the Lord to answer our prayers if we approach Him with a prideful heart. Our worthiness isn’t God’s basis for considering the prayer requests we bring; the fact of the matter is that we are not worthy. God instead responds to our need.
When we attempt to live in our own strength, we can expect God to ruin our successes (2 Chron. 26), ridicule our schemes (Ps. 2:1-5), and remove our status (Dan. 5). He wants us to renounce our pride before it destroys us.
Throughout history, people have debated what happens after death. This subject in many ways remains a mystery since the dead cannot tell of their experiences.
Yet God’s Word contains an abundance of information about life after death. In today’s verses, Paul explains what will happen at Christ’s return—both to the saints who have died and to those still living. First, Jesus will descend from the sky in a way similar to His ascension. (See Acts 1:11.) Then, God will resurrect the bodies of departed believers, whose spirits will have been with Jesus since the moment of physical death (2 Cor. 5:8). Next, Christians who are still alive will be transformed; they’ll rise to meet Jesus in the air and will dwell with Him forever.
While we should strive to glorify the Lord every moment we’re alive, it is important to be aware of these future events. The reason is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13: “So that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” In fact, verse 18 tells us to comfort each other with the understanding of what will happen when Jesus returns. Knowing the pain we encounter in this life—from tragedy, loss, fear, and sickness—God gives Christians a glimpse of the wonderful future in store.
What a loving heavenly Father! He understands our pain and gives us such hope, comfort, and strength to endure life’s hardships. Read the Scripture passage again—but this time, in place of the words “those who have fallen asleep,” substitute the name of a departed Christian you love—and bask in the hope that the Father has given.
I’ve heard every reason you can imagine for avoiding missionary service: “I haven’t been to seminary.” “I can’t preach.” “I’m too old.” “My family won’t go for it.” On and on the list goes. However, there are thousands of active missionaries who once thought the Lord couldn’t use them, either. I often have the privilege of hearing their stories of how God turned resistance into enthusiasm.
People can offer God plenty of reasons why He shouldn’t call them to spread the gospel. But His call is not issued for our consideration; He expects a response of obedience and surrender.
A believer is accountable only to say yes to God’s call. It is the Lord’s responsibility to equip the chosen for the work He’s assigned. A personal plan has been mapped for each believer’s life, and God provides the suitable personality and temperament. Then He adds skills that can be developed and the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill His mission.
The Lord makes His call with wisdom and discernment. He knows why He created you and what you are capable of accomplishing in His strength (Eph. 2:10). Rejecting the invitation to serve Him is foolish. It would be like telling almighty God that He made a mistake. But surrender opens the door to a lifetime of service, blessing, and joy!
Mission work can occur near or far. You could serve at home by writing to prisoners, down the street by dishing out meals at a shelter, across the nation by providing flood relief, or in another country by translating the gospel. In short, a missionary calling is whatever God tells you to do.
At every missions conference, I tell God the same thing: “I’m available, Lord. I will go to foreign fields if You say so.” Until He instructs me to pack my bags, I’m going to keep on sending others to work among unbelievers in distant and even remote places.
In Romans 10, Paul asked a series of questions that can be summed up like this: How will the world hear about Jesus if you do nothing? God uses Christians to spread the word that His salvation plan is available to all. He put us in families and communities so we will mingle and share what we know. But some believers are called to carry the gospel farther than others. Those who stay behind are to offer prayer and resources for those who travel.
If you’re shaking your head and thinking, Mission work isn’t where my heart is, I have news for you: Every believer is called to missions as either a goer or a sender. That call comes in dramatic ways for some, but for most of us, it is simply a biblical principle to be followed (Matt. 28:19). What’s missing for those who don’t have a heart for such work is passion. Christians who share, go, and send are often excited about God’s message for unbelievers—and it’s possible for you to become more enthusiastic, too.
I challenge you to ask the Lord, “Am I open to going anywhere You send me?” Our roots in a community should be sunk only as deep as God wills. If you aren’t called to go, then choose to be a sender. Offer your prayers, your money, and anything else that will help to put others on the mission field.
