“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21:2)
Most people carry their pride to the grave. Their need to justify themselves is so strong that they will not humble themselves even when death stares them in the face. Their last meal will not be humble pie. To admit where they have been wrong, or where they have done others wrong, is too great a mountain for them to climb. They hold fast their unrighteousness to their dying breath.
The pride involved in “having to be right” is blinding. It will not allow the searchlight of God’s Spirit to examine us. It runs from that which causes us to lose face before men. But what do the proud have awaiting them on the other side of the grave, when they stand before the face of God? “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27.)
What a horrible surprise to find out that your “right” has been wrong in the sight of the Just Judge. You may have been justified in your own eyes, but will you be condemned in His? The judgment seat will not be where you recount the wrong others did to you, but where you give account for what you did to others.
The time to get truly right – with God and man – is now. Before we get right, we have to get wrong, and that means swallowing our pride. The proud are never wrong. Their own lifted up dignity matters more to them than the relationships they’ve damaged. But the humble see what God would have them see. When their eyes are opened they want to clear their conscience. They then eagerly seek forgiveness and restoration of broken relationships.
God has promised to render a reward to the proud, and it’s not a good reward. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Being forgiven is a wonderful thing. Being humble makes us attractive to God and man. The proud remain wrong, condemned, and loathsome – now and forever. Hell was created, not for man, but for proud angels. Don’t join them.