A convicting litmus test

One of the most troubling and challenging quotes I have read, an idea that gnawed at me (for my benefit) and from time to time haunts me still(again for my benefit) is a quote from C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity

This excerpt comes from the chapter titled "The Great Sin" and the discussion of pride:

"the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others" (p. 121)

"if you want to find out how proud you are the easiest way is to ask yourself, 'How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, or shove their oar in, or patronise me, or show off?" (p. 122)

It is very easy for me, and my pride, to assure myself that I am a humble enough person. But a time when pride can be uncovered, when it cannot help keep itself concealed in our hearts and minds is when it comes into conflict with another's pride. Our pride is no longer hidden, it is rearing its ugly head, but often we are too enthralled with the desires of our pride to take a step back and see our pride for what it is.

The test is to see how much I am bothered by others' pride. If I am bothered by another's selfishness I can safely say it is because of my own. While it is possible to dislike pride out of righteousness, for me to credit that as my reason would simply be yet another expression of my pride. No, I am better off to note how often and how much other's pride bothers me, and use that as a gauge of my own pride. Most of the time I get ruffled by another's selfishness it's not because the situation actually warrants such feelings, but that my pride feels threatened.

I encourage you to take note of when and where you find yourself bothered by pride, and to evaluate your reasoning. You may find it intriguing and humbling to discover how much our pride is alive and well within us.

As with all things the conviction of sin is not meant to be an end, for us to wallow in, but to spur us back to Jesus who has made a way and washes us clean. If you discover, as I have with myself, that your pride is far healthier than you imagined, do not despair, do not seek (out of human pride) to fix yourself, but instead turn to Jesus who is transforming and sanctifying his bride. Amen

Conquering Strategy

A common yet effective strategy for governing a conquered people is to change their names. It has always been the victor who writes history; re-write the history of a conquered people, their names, and they lose their identity. It is interesting how much our names tell us about our identity. Giving a new name is giving a new identity. This has been practiced throughout history by numerous conquerors. A defeated nation becomes a new province under a name of your choosing to aid in demoralizing and controlling the defeated people.

This practice is illustrated during the exile in Babylon with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Nebuchadnezzar renamed them Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respectively Daniel 1:7. (it is interesting to note that of the four only Daniel continues to be called by his Hebrew name).

We have all given into this practice of renaming as well. We were created perfect and have fallen into sin and brokenness. We have forgotten who we are. We allowed the world, satan, the past, and our friends to define who we are. We are a conquered people.

But a savior has come to free us, indeed salvation is come. Jesus, who created us (John 1:3), who knows our true names, identities, and purposes has come to liberate us and call us back to the identities that we have forgotten. Victorious Jesus has conquered the world to restore and rename all of Creation. As the victor Jesus has come to give us back our names.

But his victory on earth is not yet fully realized. And we continue to forget who we are and what God is calling us to (ex. 1 Tim 4:14). We keep falling back into our old identities, who the world, the past, our friends, and the enemy say we are. Truly it is God alone, Creator of all, who knows our true identity. He knows us best. His is the true reality, not blurred by the lies and the conquest of the enemy over Humanity. Turn back to God, to Jesus, and to who you truly are and were created to be. Let us walk this journey together, and remind each other of who we are when we forget.