“One’s pride will BRING HIM LOW, but he who is LOWLY in spirit WILL OBTAIN HONOR.” (Proverbs 29:23)
Scripture records the lives of two men named Saul. Their experiences illustrate these truths expressed above. Saul of the Old Testament became a proud king. Although he was little in his own eyes when he began his reign, HE BECAME ARROGANT. He failed to obey the Lord, and he took matters into his own hands. He died a shrinking, fearful death at his own hands “Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore, SAUL TOOK HIS OWN SWORD AND FELL UPON IT. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.” (1 Samuel 31:4-5) The New Testament Saul became the apostle, most often referred to by the Greek version of his name, Paul, Before believing in Jesus, “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.” (Acts 9:1–9), he was a proud Pharisee with a flawless religious pedigree. However, when he became a believer, he renounced his credentials and humbly served the Lord “…though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—“ (Philippians 3:4-9). At the end of his life, he anticipated receiving a crown from the Lord “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham