Two years ago someone said something disturbing.
I had a temporary job as a waiter and was hustling some dishes back to the kitchen. While standing in the elevator I balanced my heavy load on the hand rail for support. However, since others were behind me I lifted my load and turned around to greet them. One answered me by saying, "Man you have got pride!" "Got Pride?" was a buzz-word among the staff meaning "Put your best foot forward!" She meant to compliment me, but I wondered if her understanding of pride was backwards.
The grace of God has enabled me to face others again despite my shameful sins, but not pride. Pride is sin. It causes us to exalt self, to cover up our sins, or worse to glory in them.
For example deep in the basement of this same restaurant there is also a meeting room called 'The Pride.' Here during breaks the staff enjoy sexual jokes, boast about sexual conquest, and play the mating game in a 'Lion's Pride'... just like animals. But here is nothing to be 'proud' about as God's gift of holy marriage fidelity is dragged into the sewer. Woe to us that 'Pride Lands' like this abound in our nation!
God help us to bring mankind back to the only location of salvation, "The Grace!"
11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12) instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14) who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.Titus 2:11-15 (WEB)
Oh that some could be rescued from the growing tidal wave of filth in our nation and brought to the foot of the cross of Christ with purified hands raised in worship. Now that place would be called 'The Grace!'
