Randy Stonehill: "Big Ideas (In a Shrinking World)"

This Christian artist was led to Christ by Christian rock pioneer, Larry Norman. He became one of many singers and bands in the Jesus People movement of the early seventies but he kept releasing records long after the movement fizzled. Listen to one of his songs here.

Just like the people with big ideas today, the early church had their own pompous people. As Galatians 6:3 (Bible in Basic English) reads, "For if a man has an idea that he is something when he is nothing, he is tricked by himself"

Paul also worried that proud Christians would laud themselves rather than giving all praise to Christ. As 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 7 (BBE) says, "My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother. For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?"

Paul also knew some folks would fool gullible believers with feigned humility. That's why he wrote in Colossians 2:18 and 19 BBE), "Let no man take your reward from you by consciously making little of himself and giving worship to angels; having his thoughts fixed on the things which he has seen, being foolishly lifted up in his natural mind, And not joined to the Head, from whom all the body, being given strength and kept together through its joins and bands, has its growth with the increase of God."

Peter likewise wrote in 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE) regarding the value of humility. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

If the longed-for return of Christ hasn't happened by Saturday, I hope to feature a song about a sniper.