Between Arrogance and Despair

Faith Alone by Martin Luther

June 24
BETWEEN ARROGANCE AND DESPAIR

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 We shouldn’t become proud in times of prosperity nor despair in times of trouble. On the one hand, we must keep our arrogance in check by fearing God. On the other hand, we should cling to his mercy in those times when we think he is angry with us. By doing so, we won’t crash into heaven with our big heads or fall flat on our faces on the earth.

The person who is humble and has a broken heart is neither proud nor full of despair. Yet it’s difficult for us to avoid both arrogance and despair. In our weakness, we sometimes swerve to the right and sometimes to the left. Whenever we feel overconfident or full of despair, we must make an effort to resist such tendencies. We cannot give in to either one. When an archer misses the bull’s-eye, the archer is still awarded points for hitting the target. Similarly, God is pleased when we at least fight against arrogance and despair. Even if we may not show enough joy in times of trouble or enough reverence for God in times of prosperity, he won’t hold it against his faithful people. We have Christ as our mediator. Through him, we are considered true saints even though we have barely started to act like holy people. In summary, those with many troubles should lift their spirits by acknowledging God’s mercy and remembering what Christ has done for them. Those with few troubles should drive out arrogance by living in the fear of God.

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