If There is Arrogance, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love does not boast, it is not proud. (I Corinthians 13:3,4)

Holy God,

It is easy for us to feel good about good works. And I believe you want that for us. But it is a small step from feeling good about good works, to being proud. Pride begins when we begin to think ourselves better than others because of our good works. Feeling self-righteous is a great risk. We look at those who are struggling with obvious sin, those who have no religious leanings, those who live and behave in ways that are steeped in sin and have no remorse about it, those who are lifelong criminals and we can't help but feel better than they are. But you tell us that all have sinned are merit destruction. We can certainly feel good that your Spirit has transformed our lives such that we are able to make a difference for good, but in no way should we feel that we have done this. That is pride. And when we feel compelled to let people know the things we have done, rather than letting the works speak for themselves, we boast.

Keep the truth of their salvation and redemption ever before these children so that they always know that the good they do is because of your Good living within them.

Amen