How do you build a house? Do you build on the sand or on a firm foundation? A foolish man builds his house on the sand. The wise man builds his house on a rock. We are told in Matthew 7:24-27 to build on a firm foundation. Jesus is our firm foundation. We are to build our lives on Jesus and His Word. The biblical blueprint is to be obeyed, just like when a builder has a blueprint to erect a house. If the plans are not followed exactly, the dwelling will not come out right. If we do not follow the plan of salvation, to hear (Romans 10:17), to believe (Acts 2:38), to repent (Luke 13:3, 5), to confess Christ (Romans 10:9-10) and to be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark16:16), we have not built on a firm foundation regarding salvation. Lastly, we must remain faithful (Revelation 2:10). So, are you building on the firm foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ? Or, would you say that your life is built on the sand?

Arrogance is defined as an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride; haughtiness. Several references are made in Scripture to arrogance or being arrogant. None of these references reveal a good outcome. All of them serve as a warning against this most self-destructive, brash behavior. The phrase “ugly arrogance” caught my attention in an article I read recently, which is the incentive for this article’s title. God always met ugly arrogance with the consequence of severe discipline or punishment. The first revealed example occurs in God’s confrontation with Cain after he had murdered Abel. Genesis 4:9 records, “Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’” Cain is the first person to tell a lie as he tells the Creator and Sustainer of the universe that he does not know the whereabouts of his brother! His question to the Almighty, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is ugly arrogance to the zenith. Cain’s punishment was dreadful. God told him that the voice of Abel’s blood cried out to Him from the ground. Further, God told Cain in Genesis 4:11-12, “So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.” Cain said his punishment was greater than he could bear, but bear it …