It is from a book called "Reclaiming Love" by Ajith Fernando.

What really impacted me was the section on arrogance/ pride. We all know that love is not arrogant or proud, but it is very hard to live it out. 

He gave an example of William Carey, one of the greatest linguists the world has ever seen. He supervised and edited translations of the Scriptures into 36 Indian languages and had many other achievements. But he had humble beginnings as he started off in life as a cobbler, mending shoes. He remembers an incident in his life where he has regarded with dislike and contempt. At a dinner party, a man, with the idea of humiliating him, said in a tone that everyone could hear: 'I suppose, Mr. Carey, you once worked as a shoemaker.' 'No, your lordship,' answered Carey, 'not a shoemaker, only a cobbler.' He did not even claim to make shoes - only to mend them. This was one person who did not suffer from pride!

Another example given was that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, perhaps the greatest example of true greatness and humility. Jesus overturned the common ideas of true greatness through the circumstances of his life. He was not born into a privileged family, laid in a manger. His parents offered the best that they could - "a pair of turtle doves" - a concession made for those who could not afford the usual sacrifice of a lamb. He was born into Nazareth, one of the smallest towns in Galilee, and may have even been the subject of gossip that he was an "illegitimate" child as he was growing up. Joseph was likely to have died when Jesus was in his teens or early twenties, leaving Jesus as the eldest son having to take care of at least 4 younger brothers and an unknown number of sisters.  The hope of formal education beyond the normal level was remote. He was considered "uneducated" in the superior eyes of Jerusalem. He spent the final 3 years of his life living on the road - essentially homeless. On top of all this, he died an ignoble death on the cross, suffering great pain and shame. 

Despite his lack of worldly advantages, Jesus was the greatest human being who ever lived! He demonstrates to us that true greatness does not depend on the things we usually associate with success and status - worldly advantages and achievements. 

Consider the scenario: One brother is "rich" relative to his brother, with a net worth of $200 000 in comparison to $20 000. However, a wealthy, unmarried uncle of the brothers dies and leaves each of them $600 million as an inheritance. What each brother formerly possessed is insignificant in comparison to their new-found wealth. The formerly "rich" brother can no longer claim to be richer that his "poor" brother. Something similar happens when we receive God's salvation. In comparison to the riches we receive in Christ, all other worldly statue symbols vanish into insignificance. Yet, our riches does not make us proud, for we realize that we do not deserve anything that we have received. This knowledge should not puff us up with pride; it should be a source of joy and gratitude. Gratitude focuses on another, whereas arrogance focuses on self. In gratitude, we know that all our riches are gifts given to us by our gracious God. The experience of grace thrills us because of our exalted identity in Christ, and at the same time keeps us humble. The successes and gifts of others are not a threat to us because we are secure in Christ. We no longer have a need to make people feel inferior to us. Instead, out of the strength of our exalted identity in Christ, we can devote ourselves to serving others and lifting them up. 

In conclusion, pride is far from being a sign of strength, but is a sign of weakness. When we have a strong sense of security, identity, and joy that grace brings, we are able to reach out to others in love and are empowered to lift them up instead of serving ourselves. But when we lack this strength, we feel insecure. We tend to look at others as our rivals or we want to show that they are lower than us. We try to project an image of being significant people. 

So true!! I think I understand a little better what it means to have your identity secure in Christ! God help me to keep grace at the forefront of my mind, and to recognize that everything that i have comes from You!

Clothed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne (`: