God’s Grace vs. Jim’s Pride

“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” – Romans 5:20

I really despise job performance evaluations. I dread knowing they are coming, for inevitably the person doing the review will find it necessary to point out my weaknesses, errors, mistakes and foibles. And, if they are in a good mood, mention a few of my strengths. Hey, I’m well aware of my shortcomings. I don’t need a yearly reminder by someone who feels they have the privilege to criticize me simply because they sign my paycheck.

Okay, now you know my bad attitude regarding evaluations.

I was talking to God about my attitude the other morning while walking on a treadmill, and somehow it occurred to me that there was a connection between grace, forgiveness, sin and pride. This is how I think it works.

Through every fault of my own, sometimes I find I am in need of another person’s grace and forgiveness (yes, even in a job performance evaluation). Although I am grateful for their kindness and grace, I feel their grace puts me in an awkward position. I couldn’t quite figure it out until I made the connection between forgiveness for something I’ve done wrong, the humility to accept the grace of the person who offers such forgiveness, and my need for forgiveness. The connection is pride.

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