Devotional Moment Connect UMC

January 11, 2016 devotional moment is lightly modernized John Wesley excerpt discussing the role of pride in faith.  Take a moment and prayerfully reflect on the words below…

Does preaching this faith lead men and women into pride?

Accidentally, it may: Therefore, every believer ought to be earnestly cautioned by the words of the great apostle: “Because of unbelief they (the first branches) were broken off, and you stand by faith.  Do not be haughty, but fear.  For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.  Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness.  Otherwise you also will be cut off (Romans 11:20-22).

And while believers continue in that goodness, they will remember those words of St. Paul, foreseeing and answering this very objection (Romans 3:27):  “Where is boasting then?  It is excluded. By what law?  Of works?  Now, but by the law of faith.”  If a man or woman were justified by their works, they would have something of which to glory.  But there is no glorying for the one who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5).

 

Everything is of God.  The faith by which salvation is given as well as the salvation itself are both the free gift of God.  There is nothing of which a man or a woman can boast.

Excerpt taken from Renew My Heart daily devotional