I Am—You’re Not

Pride is ugly and insidious. But mostly it’s just a liar. It tells me I’m all that and a bag of chips when in truth, everything I have was given to me (I Cor. 4:7) and “…apart from Me [Jesus] you [I] can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

We get degrees and more degrees,

we buy things and more things, we join clubs, we want to be seen as successful. And maybe we are, according to the world’s standard. My question is, So what? God’s Word tells us all that “stuff” will burn up. Jesus also warns those of us who are lukewarm towards Him, “…I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Rev. 3:16,17)

John 15 tells us about vines and branches. Jesus says clearly “I am the true vine,” the implication being that we’re not. We want to be the vine. We want the credit for the fruit produced by the vine. That’s our pride lying to us again. We are branches. Branches are dependent on the vine for nourishment and fruit. A branch can only produce fruit of the type initiated by the vine. If we want to produce fruit—which will have eternal rewards—the first step is to make sure we’re abiding in the Vine. We do that by having a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Then we spend time in God’s Word…daily. If we do that, the fruit will be a byproduct that comes naturally.

Jesus also warns

that if we don’t abide in Him, we are “thrown away…and cast into the fire” (John 15:6) That’s the result of believing pride’s lie. Sin always promises good, fun, sexy, but only delivers death. It says, “nobody will know” or “you deserve it” or “you can stop anytime.” But the Bible says, “Come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.” (2 Cor. 6:17)

As the season in which we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ approaches, let’s remember that it’s not about sparkly trees and shiny-wrapped gifts under them but about THE gift that came humbly as a baby destined for a painful death so that we could live. If you haven’t received that gift yet, visit our Steps to Salvation page for a clear picture of your future.

Thanks for stopping by.