If any vice could crumble the allegorical walls of a nation, like the walls of Jericho under the assault of God by means of the marching and shouting of Joshua and the army of Israel, it is the sin of Pride. The phrase “high and lifted up” is never appropriate in reference to the character of fallen humanity. It is by virtue of its collective definitive meaning given to the exaltation of Almighty God. This praise of God is manifest through the most profound act of humility ever conceived and performed by any living being to have ever existed in all of eternity, the sacrifice of The Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. God is high and lifted up not only as Almighty God, but also as the humble servant, savior, and redeemer of mankind.
We often revel in the concept so aptly expressed in the United States Constitution that “all men are created equal”. However, it is our lack of understanding of the origin of that phrase that has infected our society with the cancer of human pride. The concept of equality of humanity has been traced to the thoughts of John Knox. Knox was addressing the depravity of man in the use of that phrase. The concept he expressed was that all men are created in the womb equally depraved being infected with the sin nature of their father Adam. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.” – Romans 5:12-15. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – I Corinthians 15:21-22. The term “men” was used as a generic reference to both male and female. Our equality is not found in our equal intelligence, physical stature or our talents. Equality of mankind is realized within bounds of our inherited depravity. We are all equally depraved.
Pride is a natural byproduct of human depravity. Humility is unnatural to the natural man. Whereas the Spirit of God infuses humility into the soul of man, pride is the natural state of man at birth. Therefore, humility is not natural to the nature of man. “But the natural man receives not the things of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” – I Corinthians 2:14-15.
Our generation is saturated with pride. Consider the common ideological musings of our time: “I am proud to be an American”, “Pride month”, “Pride parade”, “Gay Pride”, “Straight Pride”, and pride in our accomplishments. The 17th Century author of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe described pride in the following manner, “Pride, the first peer and president of hell”. The 19th Century theologian and preacher Edwin Hubbell Chapin did not mix his words with man pleasing rhetoric when addressing the sin of pride with these words, “Pride is the master sin of the Devil”. Indeed, pride is the sin of self-exaltation to a state of existence contrary to the appointed position determined by our creator. The pride of the creature in opposition to the creator is the ultimate act of treason against God. It is the pinnacle of arrogance.
In contrast to pride, humility is a right assessment of the appointed position of the creature as determined by the Creator. God by nature is Holy and Righteous. From birth, man by inheritance of Adam is a fallen creature. Therefore, it is vital to the survival and spiritual health of our generation to correctly assess the default position of pride that resides within us from birth and to recognize that God being Holy and Righteous cannot condone our arrogance. Righteous judgment must reign upon human arrogance for God to remain true to his attributes. Therefore, in Adam all died. In this we are all equal. In this we must be humbled before God. In this we humbly bow before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
By Jeff “The Brain” Claiborne
Staff Writer
The Vortex Apologetic
The Vortex Apologetic 