As we close out this week’s Advent meditations on Faith, it is helpful to remind ourselves that it’s not just “faith.” It’s faith in something. What?

I was struck by this part of Mary’s song in Luke 1:

Mighty power flows from him to scatter all those who walk in pride. Powerful princes he tears from their thrones, and he lifts up the lowly to take their place. Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty. Luke 1.51 – 53, Passion Translation)

“Scatter all those who walk in pride…send the smug and self-satisfied away empty.”

Who is more prideful, smug, and self-satisfied than some religious people? Growing up I heard all kinds of sermons poking fun at or criticizing other Christian groups. “Thank God we’re not [you fill in the blank].” And what’s the point? Purely to make us proud that at least we’re not a member of the wrong group? And maybe some folks from that group were proud they weren’t one of us? That’s helpful (not!). There are two things:

• In criticizing the other guys, we could be wrong! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned valuable lessons from leaders from those “other groups.” I found out that there were godly people and devout Jesus followers in groups I would have completely written off years ago.
• Second, even if we’re not wrong, even if there are severe problems with “those people,” there are no “points” for not being a member of a particular group. In a related issue, every time I do a time with God workshop, at least one person comes up afterward to tell me he doesn’t approve of a translation I recommended. My response is always the same: “Fine. Don’t read that one. There are no points for NOT reading a particular translation. How are you hearing the voice of God from the Bible you are using?”

It’s pride we all need to be careful of. Being smug and self-satisfied. Putting our faith in our little (or large!) group rather than in Jesus.

Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty. Luke 1.53, Passion Translation, emphasis mine)