I don’t know if it’s the same in every culture, but In Ireland, we tend to laugh at people who think they’re great. I remember the John Lennon song I’m the Greatest, which he wrote for Ringo’s 1973 album. It was funny because people don’t usually talk about how great they are 🙂.
Muhammad Ali used to do it, but he was being funny. That’s why we all loved him so much.
In all honesty, I’m not sure if I can think of a lot to be proud of in my life. Things have turned out reasonably well, but for much of it, I am thankful to other people, and most of all, to God.
In this blog, I often speak of committing my life to Christ, back in August 1980. It’s something that I’m pleased about, but I give all the credit to God. It’s sometimes a source of puzzlement for people because people think I surely was a Christian already. But I don’t believe that being born in a “Christian” country, in a Christian family or being baptised as a baby makes you a Christian. We need to personally commit our lives to Christ. I always see that happening in August 1980. I am happy to accept the possibility that it might have happened earlier, but I spent much of my teens wondering what life was all about, and which religion might be true and so on.
I didn’t want to go through my whole life in an agnostic state. If anything is clear from the New Testament, it’s that Jesus calls on us to believe in him. And I made a total commitment to do that in August 1980. It might sound pompous to speak of committing my life to Christ. But I’m not claiming to be particularly saintly. In the New Testament everyone who responds to the call of God is termed a “saint”. It means that you are set apart for God. Doubtless there are Christians who are exceptionally godly and who will receive special rewards, but it’s up to God to decide who they are, not human institutions. But for ordinary folk like me, God simply asks that we respond to his offer of salvation and aim to live lives that please him.
But should I be proud? It is something that I did, but again, when I read the New Testament, it’s clear that it was God himself that draws people to him.
I think of the following statement that Jesus made to people who refused to believe in him:
John 10:25-30
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
John 6:37-40
37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Romans 8:30
“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
2 Timothy 1:9
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”
I see that in a lot of hymns too, hymns, which are based on the teaching of the New Testament.
All this does raise theological debates. If the doctrine of effectual calling (the theological term) is true, what about those who aren’t called? Well, the intention is to spread the gospel around the world, but some will respond and some won’t. Those who respond give God the credit for drawing them. Those who don’t, don’t want to believe. Is it God’s fault for not drawing them? It is complicated. My general outlook on theology is that I hold my views provisionally. I’m always open to correction. And I suspect that when we get to heaven, we’ll understand more clearly.
But I sometimes think of this scenario of six hypothetical people in heaven and how they explain it:
I’m here because I’m really religious.
🧐
I’m not really religious, but I deserve to be here because I’m such a helpful person.
🧐
I have every right to be here as does everyone else. If God shuts anyone out, we’ll bring him before The International Court of Justice. And we’ll report him to Amnesty International!
🧐
I’m proud to state that I’m here because I gave my life to Jesus, unlike all those other poor fools who heard the gospel and didn’t bother.
🧐
I’m here because I’m really lucky. My flight was cancelled, and I just happened to be walking by a church, and they told me how to get to heaven. I’m so grateful to lady luck.
🧐
I’m here because I’m clever. I investigated all the world’s religions, and I chose the correct one – unlike all those other idiots who got it wrong.
🧐
I rejoice that I’m here because the Father chose me, Jesus died for me, and the Holy Spirit drew me to repent and believe in Jesus. I was saved by grace, through faith. I have nothing to boast about. All the glory goes to God.
🙂
When I get to heaven, I can’t see myself saying anything other than what the last guy said.
Eph 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Is There Any Room for Pride?
I remember back when I was 3 years old, I wrote the numbers 1 to 10 in chalk on our garden shed. I remember my mother being so proud and pleased, and so was I 🙂. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating our accomplishments. But when we reflect on it deeply, it’s very natural to give thanks to God.
But the funny thing is, in the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector, the pharisee does give thanks to God – but he’s really just full of pride in his own accomplishments. It’s a little warning of how pride can be a subtle thing. This might be why pride is traditionally considered the most serious of the seven deadly sins.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Hibernia Gospel 
Dear Hibernia
Your posts teach me a lot.
Thanks for liking my post Not3 🌷❤️🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve been devoted for a long time, and that’s nice! I was once stopped in the street and was asked, “how he god shown his self through out history?” As a non religious person, I had no answers. They told me I needed to find hard not to beliefs.. So I’m just wondering what’s the answer?
LikeLike
Thanks for your comment. To put it concisely, I would point people to Jesus himself and the New Testament. You get all sorts of theological opinions on the web and in churches. Some are interested in all that, and some are not. When I look at examples of people looking for the answer in the New Testament, it was a simple matter of repenting and putting their trust in Jesus. Going to church is encouraged, but I think it’s down to the individual to choose how involved they want to be. I cherish the enthusiasm of evangelical churches, but you do meet some bossy people too. I just tell the bossy people that Jesus is my boss 😀.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So you don’t have a single answer? I didn’t either, from my knowledge god has never shown his self through out history so it was a blizzare question. But apparently, they said I needed hard beliefs.
LikeLike
Thanks again for your comment. I don’t know what those folks meant by “hard beliefs”. Maybe they meant that we need to commit ourselves to Jesus and his word (the Bible) rather than drift through life wondering if he really is the Son of God.
My “single answer” would be to say what Paul said to someone who asked him how to be saved. “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) And as for God showing himself through history, He does that supremely through the incarnation (Christ coming to earth, dying and rising from the dead). It would have been great to have seen Jesus die and rise or to have had direct contact with those who met him after the resurrection. We don’t have that, but many sceptics who’ve investigated it have found the evidence for the resurrection very convincing. The fact that Jesus has had such an impact on history at least makes it worth investigating. And God gives us the Holy Spirit nowadays who makes it all real to us, but we need to reach out in faith. That’s just the way God works in the current world. When we get to heaven, God will fully manifest his presence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Hibernia
I am always deeply moved by new ideas in your posts.
I am quite thankful to you for liking my post ‘Wine’. ❤️🌷🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person