WE NOW MOVE on to consider some other “in Christ” passages in Romans. The next is: “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God” (15:17). Proud of my work for God. Is there a place for pride in a Christian? Pride is usually condemned as anathema, something to be cast out root and branch. Can pride be redeemed? Yes.
If pride is rooted in an unsurrendered ego, then of course it is sinful pride. It is a manifestation of self-centeredness, calling attention to itself. Pride can be constructive, however, and can help us to be at our best. Without any pride we become careless, slump, and deteriorate. “He has no pride” can be just as damning, as saying, “He is proud and vain.” Pride, rightly rooted, can be an urge that keeps up our morale, a spur to achievement, a driving force. Rightly rooted—that is the real point. Rooted in egoism it is an ugly manifestation; rooted in Christ it can be a beautiful manifestation.
Our pride must be rooted up, surrendered when it has its roots in an unsurrendered self. It must be replanted in Christ. The pride must draw its sustenance from the humility of Christ. When it boasts, it makes its boast in the Lord. If you are boasting in Another, it is legitimate and right and befitting. At the heart of this righteous pride is a deep humility, for you know that everything you do you do by grace—the grace of Another. The pride is really converted into gratitude. Paul added: “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me” (15:18). I am not the source—it is through me, not from me. That saves you from a false humility, which is disguised pride and gives us a sense of self-respect and self-acceptance, because of gratitude for what He is doing. He uses me; therefore, I cannot abuse myself. He lifts me; therefore, I uplift Him.
O my Lord, Thy coming into me washes me from inferiority, from baseness, from a hangdog feeling and gives me a sense of divine self-respect and pride—righteous pride in what Thou art able to accomplish through me. I’m gratefully proud of Thy work in me. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: My pride in Thee makes me humble.
