IS IT ARROGANCE OR FAITH?

The title of today’s meditation IS IT ARROGANCE OR FAITH? may come as a surprise to some. It is a question that I asked myself after yesterday’s meditation “WORKING AGAINST THE LORD?” ALL THE BEST. It is a bold statement. Such a bold statement can be considered as provocative by some, and as arrogance by others. However, we need to also ask ourselves ever so often, ‘Is the expression of my faith and the promise enabled confidence in the LORD Jesus, coming out as arrogance in the “clothes” of faith?’ Such a situation is perfectly possible is my honest opinion, based on personal experiences.

I have encountered people who taught that those who do not believe in the LORD Jesus are all devil worshippers. What pains is not so much the facts, but the “hate” with which “others” are looked at. If one is a true follower of the LORD Jesus Christ, then we should be modelling Him in our thoughts, words and deeds. The LORD Jesus Christ is the epitome of love, kindness, grace and mercy, despite He being the only One who can throw the stone at us.
– “10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” – John 8:10-11

As the disciples of the LORD Jesus, we should believe all what the Bible says. We should be speaking about the promises of God to His children, that is us. We should also be proclaiming them with joy and pride. However it should never cross the boundary and become arrogance. If we walk down the path of arrogance, then in no time, every other evil will take hold of us, and we will become “little devils” ourselves in our thoughts, words and deeds. 

Take the instance of slavery, racial discrimination, racial segregation and racial superiority. They believed that because they have become “christians,” their “god” had placed “his” hand over them and over all that concerns them; thus, their blessings make them better, and therefore their superiority over others. What is the measure to identify the hand of God upon them? It is the physical and material blessings. Is this what our LORD Jesus expects from His disciples?
– “…arrogance often breeds judgment and division, qualities that are contradictory to the Christian call for unity and love. When we elevate ourselves, we invariably look down on others, supporting an environment of criticism rather than compassion.  A heart filled with arrogance struggles to extend grace and understanding, hindering the very essence of Christian fellowship.” – Donald Jacobs

When Gemini AI was asked, “Is Christian faith, arrogance in different clothes?” it suggested the following thoughts – “At its core, faith is a trust in things unseen, while arrogance is an inflated sense of self-importance. While the Christian claim to absolute truth can appear arrogant to the outside world, authentic faith and arrogance are fundamentally opposed in both their spirit and their application.” – Gemini AI. Herein is the key for us to grasp. Unless we grasp this truth, we can fall prey to arrogance because of our faith in the LORD Jesus, and thus it becomes perfectly legitimate to become and be arrogant and still consider ourselves Christians. No wonder then, our LORD said, “All who call me LORD, LORD will enter the kingdom of God…” – Matthew 7:21

The danger of our faith and confidence in God turning into our arrogance is quite real. Unless we are soaked in the LORD Jesus’ humility, grace and gentleness in our thoughts, words and deeds, it is not too difficult for us to become proud and arrogant. 
– “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” – James 4:6

Dear brothers and sisters we already have enough struggles with sin of every kind. Let us not add more sin to ourselves by ignorance fuelled arrogance. The confidence and courage that the promises of the LORD fill us, should drive us to our knees and make us humble, gentle, kind and graceful in all our thoughts, words and deeds. Even so, the LORD help us.