Fear and Pride

Fear and Pride
By Pat Harrigan

Two of the biggest reasons that keep people from considering the Gospel message, is fear of judgment, and self-pride. These hinderances to salvation become more ingrained as people grow older and they become more stubborn. Being conformed to this world and its philosophy, is easy and requires no action. Facing the truth and being transformed by the Word of God requires the action of belief.

Before anyone can be born again, they must see themselves as God sees them: dead in trespasses and sins (Eph.2:1). This condition is a result of mankind’s identification with, and relationship to Adam our forefather. Because we have Adam’s nature, we are made aware of the consequences of sin, which is death (Rom.6:23). Death, and the fear of judgment of sins causes people to either: 1) deny it, 2) ignore it, or 3) try to prolong its inevitability. However, there is a 4th choice, which is to confront death, by yielding to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, and changing one’s mind about God (repenting). This leads to life, and an end to the fear of death. But a major hinderance to that 4th choice is pride. A proud person exalts himself above God and refuses to submit to Him. A humble person relinquishes the lordship of self, and submits to the Gospel of truth, confessing Jesus, (not self) as Lord. (Rom.10:9). James tells us “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

We cannot take away the fear of death and judgment, nor can we humble the proud. Those things are the work of God. We can however, pray, and ask God to work and prepare men’s hearts to receive the Gospel. Then, having our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph.6:15) we are equipped to go forth and present the Gospel to all we encounter, which is: (*)

1.) Jesus died on the cross paying for the sins of the world.
2.) Jesus was buried proving His death.
3.) Jesus rose from the dead 3 days later and is now alive.
4.) God promises to give that same eternal life to whosoever believes this good news.

Now go out and share this with them. It only takes 2 minutes.

(*)
1Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; :4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;