[marbren]

Hi Alamo-Girl, xone and I are talking about pride. I, being anal like I am, do not like the word pride. I may even be willing to grow and change if you think I am too legalistic. The subject we are really talking about is the pride we have in the LCMS Lutheran doctrine being the best Christian doctrine available to mankind.

xone makes some interesting points:

Of course there is, pride in a job well done, pride in a child achievements, pride in honorable service. And as I've told you before pride in a wonderful tool that allows you more easily to do God's work. Libs sound like this? Some have given in to their re-definition of the english language. Pride doesn't neccessarily bring haughtiness. The vets I honor today are proud of their service as am I and righteously so. Yet some still exhibit the negative side of pride on this thread, not in the Lutheran doctrine but in their own ability in their own eyes to fault sinful men for misapplication of solid doctrine based on God's Word without proof.

Can we ever take the glory for ourselves?

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony, dear brother in Christ, and thank you for your question!

Can we ever take the glory for ourselves?

No.

Give God the glory for every good thing that comes of our lives.

By my perception of the matter, a Christian should become uncomfortable with compliments and quick to give God the glory and leery of other Christians who still want credit.

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. - Matt 23:8-11

Notice that the angel didn't even give John his name, it was irrelevant - he said "Worship God."

And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. - Revelation 22:8-9

Indeed the absence of names in the book of Revelation speaks volumes.

In Revelation 21 we see the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and earth with twelve pearl gates each named for a tribe of Israel and twelve foundation layers of gemstones each named for an Apostle. But their names are not mentioned.

The Song of Moses (Deut 32) is mentioned in Revelation 15, but Moses himself is not mentioned. Neither is Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Elijah, Mary (though some would argue that she is mentioned in chapter 12 by metaphor) and so on. Neither Peter nor Paul are mentioned by name. John is mentioned only as the one receiving the revelation.

Pride is an abomination to God:

These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. - Proverbs 6:16-19

He sets His face against the proud:

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. - I Peter 5:5

But the meek are blessed:

(Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.) - Numbers 12:3

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. - Psalms 25:9

Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. - Matt 5:5

But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. - I Peter 3:4

I avoid the word "pride" or "proud" altogether though it presents a very difficult problem with our children because if we don't say (like all the other parents) "I'm so proud of you" then it sends our kids a disapproving signal. When I feel it is necessary for their sakes, I'll couch it with a "Praise God! Way to go. I'm so proud of you." to keep the priorities straight, i.e. give God the glory.

If I were you, I'd be saying "Thank God for the LCMS Lutheran doctrine."

To God be the glory, not man, never man.