Serve with humility

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in deep moral failure. You are saved by grace!  He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Christian Standard Bible (Ephesians 2:1–10)

Rage and despair are the two faces of pride. If you don’t agree with me you’re dead to me. Or, I can fall into a downward spiral of despair. 

The fear of loss and rejection that fuels our pride gives birth to bitterness, jealousy, and vengeance. Why is being called out or accused of being wrong so enraging? Being wrong undermines my authority. It threatens my value and my perceived legitimacy. When you honor my position and opinion I feel secure. When you don’t, I feel threatened. I will justify the violation of any law or social norm to restore my sense of security. Pride kills relationships.

But God healed the pain of our loss and restored our relationships with himself and each other, through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A person who follows the way of Jesus and humbly takes responsibility for the well being of others has the best interest of others at heart. In the face of failure or opposition they recover, learn, and move on. Followers of Jesus entrust their lives, status, and concerns to God.

Following Jesus in submission to the vision of God for our lives frees us from the rage and despair of pride, enabling us to find our fulfillment in the sacrificial service of others. Especially our enemies. As Jesus declared in the Sermon on the Mount, when we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us we affirm that we are children of our Father in heaven.