“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
The stunning news of the gospel is based entirely upon what God has done in sending His only Son to die for our sins while we were still sinners. That all-sufficient act was not dependent on us cleaning ourselves up first. Rather, it was dependent on Jesus Christ humbling Himself and coming to us.
As believers, we have been saved by grace through faith as a gift of God (see Ephesians 2:8). Romans 10:6-13 tells us our standing under the gospel is not based on our efforts or our works. This leaves room only for humility, not for pride.
And pride, the opposite of humility, “is when sinful human beings ‘aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him’” (C. J. Mahaney, 2005). Mahaney further explains, “Pride takes innumerable forms but only one end: self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride—to rob God of legitimate glory.” But our Creator and heavenly Father “cannot bear with seeing His glory appropriated by the creature in even the smallest degree” (John Calvin, 1557).
As believers, we have been saved by grace through faith as a gift of God (see Ephesians 2:8). Romans 10:6-13 tells us our standing under the gospel is not based on our efforts or our works. This leaves room only for humility, not for pride.
And pride, the opposite of humility, “is when sinful human beings ‘aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him’” (C. J. Mahaney, 2005). Mahaney further explains, “Pride takes innumerable forms but only one end: self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride—to rob God of legitimate glory.” But our Creator and heavenly Father “cannot bear with seeing His glory appropriated by the creature in even the smallest degree” (John Calvin, 1557).
Scripture Focus
Romans 5:6-11
Insight
“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,/ save in the death of Christ, my God!” (Isaac Watts, 1707)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 55-56
- Psalm 98
- Acts 21