Today people have reasoned that self-esteem is vitally important for sound mental health. If a man is without pride in himself, he is thought to be lacking.
You will find no support for any egotism in all of Scripture.
Coming to the throne of grace with a heart steeped in pride is futile. It reminds me of the inane and oft-repeated phrase, 'God helps those who help themselves'. (by the way ... Satan loves that vainglorious stumbling block)
Spurgeon - Because God is gracious, therefore sinful men are forgiven, converted, purified, and saved. It is not because of anything in them, or that ever can be in them, that they are saved; but because of the boundless love, goodness, pity, compassion, mercy, and grace of God.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation is wrought as a precious gift so that believers cannot erroneously express pride in themselves or their accomplishments. Christianity is a God-centered, singularly-focused journey of faith.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14
We glory in the cross of Christ because there was no other way to reconcile us to God. No peace can be ours without pardon, and no pardon can be ours without atonement.
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