April 05, 2024
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. (Luke 7:29-30)
There are some tragic sentences in life that we say or are said about us. But there is none more fatal than this statement about the religious Pharisees and lawyers in Jesus’ day: “They rejected God’s purpose for themselves.”
To miss the purpose for which you were born, the design of your Creator, the one thing that gives you and others life, is the worst possible outcome. The ultimate loss.
DRIVEN BY PRIDE
The people around these men had been confronted by John the Baptist's preaching. He boldly pointed out their sin and need for God. Instead of getting angered at his reproof, they “acknowledged God’s justice.” They agreed with God about their sin and need and came repenting humbly before Him.
But not the Pharisees and lawyers. They were upset, no doubt offering a million reasons why John couldn’t possibly be right in his evaluation and call. They explained away their conviction with arguments birthed in pride. They carefully defended their supposed righteousness, which they felt excused them from the need for repentance. In so doing, they managed to continue to control their lives, justify their behavior, and make no room for Christ.
But they forgot one thing. In their aggressive pride, they threw away that which matters: a right relationship with the Creator, which results in fulfilling His design for our lives. Their self-justifications caused them to miss the purpose of their existence.
Beware a man or woman who never seems to think they’re wrong. Who refuses to humble themselves. Who never admits their need and confesses their sin.
YOUR CHOICE
God will let you choose. But if you find yourself constantly defending your position and holding on to an arrogant insistence that you’re okay and in need of nothing, then you’re most certainly not. And your pride will cost you everything that matters in this life and the next.
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