Much of what we find in human conduct and attitude has a good side and a bad side. Pride is one of those good/bad features. Christians are warned about the sin of pride in their lives. It leads to all kinds of mischief, in self-evaluation, in exploitation of others, in distortion of the place of mankind and God, and the meaning of service to others. There is more, but our purpose here is to accent the good side of legitimate pride that belongs to every individual, and is partly based in truth about ourselves – in God’s image. This pride is better known as dignity, proper to mankind.
There is a proper side to things that provides respect given from the image of God in the human race. This is partly a dignity related to spirituality and humaneness. We are rightly pleased that we are not turtles, or fish, or birds. This does not diminish turtles, fish or birds. The truth is that we have dignity related to all humankind, which is a legitimate pride (respect) that one is human, but humble enough to know and act in ways that are not animalistic (fleshly). When that rightful but human dignity is lost, individuals, even whole nations fall into gross practices treating other persons like animals. For a period there was a popular song that included lyrics that we should protect every man’s pride. That is true in respect. No matter how benighted a person may be, the fact that he/she is descended from the parentage of God’s image creation gives, or ought to give, every individual the realization that there is dignity for mankind. Perhaps the dignity has been muted, even lost, but we do our best to recover it for those who have missed it, or laid it aside. If rightly perceived we do something about it. Reuben is said to have had dignity, but lost it. (Genesis 49:3) Reuben lost the reality of dignity (image) when he sinned. God provides rescue from that lost condition. God can restore dignity in the undignified. Dignity helps community.
The gospel of Christ, which incorporates an understanding of sin as the human condition, can be either a distressing perception or liberating. By acknowledging that something God gave has been lost in us, but that it can be recovered in spiritual regeneration and maintained in the maturation of the individual is cause for rejoicing and relief. To do what needs to be done through confession, faith, prayer, obedience to scriptural admonition, and in accepting the offering of God – all make personal and immortal difference. Here is dignity that holds up for believers in it.
One of the ways I can avoid wrongdoing, avoid grossness and the damning features of imperfect mankind, is to accept the plan of escape from ultimate loss of all dignity in the moral rebuilding in Christ. This new and elevated sense of worth, (dignity of self, respect of humanity) avoids the drag of backsliding. Some things I would likely have done in my life, things that would not have commended me, were avoided because I was proud enough of the Lord, the Word and of myself to: Just say, ‘No’ to this and ‘Yes’ to that. On other occasions, I stumbled, and had to find my way back to balance. I once told one of my beloved family members to either change his ways or change his name, because I was proud of my name and respected those in my family who bore it. He did change. He and I have cultivated a special relationship since that strenuous exchange – all with warm mutuality. That is justifiable pride – if it does not deny the dignity and rights of others, and if it does not usurp God’s place of primacy. This is not spiritual pride that displaces God, but the pride that fulfills worth, humility and devotion as human beings. It is the dignity to maintain true meaning. Lacking this perception one reverts to a kind of animal mortality so that the moment is about all there is. There is no real future or dignity in that. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020