It’s “pride” month. Have you noticed? How could you not! Rainbows are everywhere. Scroll down your Facebook feed and note all the businesses taking advantage of “pride” month to sell more stuff. The gay pride flag is flying over our Wisconsin state capitol. How quickly and powerfully the devil has led so many people to boast about sin! In response, there was talk in Boston of having a “straight pride” parade. That’s not the answer. Because the deeper problem isn’t really sexuality. It’s pride. We human beings think we know more than God. So we boast about us. Pride. Pride month.
Whatever kind of “pride” you’re tempted to celebrate this month, I hope you realize that pride has no place in the life of a Christian. Here’s why: “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31).
How can you and I be proud? It was God in his grace who made us and chose us as his own. It was God in his grace who sent Jesus to die for our sins and make us righteous, holy, redeemed. It is God in his grace who takes the things that are not—us!—and makes us into the children of God. Grace leaves no room for pride. Certainly not pride in my sinful desires! But also not pride in my goodness. How can I boast except in Jesus my Savior? As people boast this “pride” month about their sin or their sexuality or their accomplishments, may you and I boast about our Savior Jesus.
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