Ever Had A Self-Righteous Attitude?
I, Have Arrived...........
Driving to work one morning several years ago, I was feeling pretty good about everything in my life - I was almost finished with school (finally) and my job was doing okay, my kids were well, and I was pretty content with most things in my life.
I'd spent time in the Word that morning conversing with God.
Self-righteous behavior was for other people; not me - I was active in the church attending all the time, giving my money, singing in the choir, helping as a greeter, helping in the kitchen etc. etc, and I was special because God loves ME and I've been forgiven.... blah blah."
So I was praying:
"Thank-you God for because I am so wonderful... blah
blah blah... I feel as though I have arrived and you
can use me mightily... blah blah blah. I'm glad I'm
not like that smelly ho down the road who stays out
late all night bringing home all those men, oh no, I'm
ms. perfect.............., thanks that I'm not in jail like
the ole' woman who I used to know - I've changed
and go to church but she has not so we can't be
friends....."
Then a Car Pulls ...
...in front of me forcing me to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident, and I promptly return the favor by calling the driver a "moron" and providing them a finger gesture..............
Driving away I felt the shame, embarrassment, and absolute horror at what had just taken place.
I was mortified at my behavior and what I said. What had happened here? My behavior was typical of some people who attend the church and talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
Thankfully, God does loves me, and He loves everyone else also. He loves me enough to show me I most certainly had not arrived yet.
Yet what bothered me the most about this scene is that even as an unsaved person I didn't participate in hand gestures to people (name calling yes but hand gestures no). So where did this come from?
It was something that I hadn't allowed God to work out of me. Pride was a pretty big issue that needed to be dealt with before I could be any benefit to anyone.
Was God angry at me and wanting to embarrass me? Of course not. He loves me and the rest of mankind enough to allow such incidents to happen so we can become more like Him.
I needed to be taken down a peg or two because it was obvious I thought more highly of myself than I ought.
Is This Even Important?
Jesus Christ came that ALL should have eternal life and not perish, that means everyone. Too often Christians mean well, but we have come across exhibiting an, "I'm better than you" attitude and we shouldn't.
We are to be the light and the salt to a dying world which means we should set examples in this world. Make friends with the unfriendly, ugly, and hateful people. No, we don't have to participate in ungodly behavior but we should LOVE the unlovable - set examples. Remember, if it was not for God’s grace where would we be?
When I worked as a waitress, it was amazing to me the number of people who would leave a Christian tract and a $1.00 tip for five people. Then be the most demanding hateful people I waited on! I remember telling the Lord He needed to tell these people off because even though I know Him, many don't and tips are how a waiter/waitress earns their money, and what kind of a witness is that anyway?
God has blessed me with a good sense of humor and I enjoy talking and being friends with all types of people, and along the way I have learned many things that have enriched my life.
Get out of the Comfort Zone
The church (us) needs to get out of our comfort zone and be confident in who we are in Christ without the arrogance and holier than thou attitude, and love people by showing them Christ's love.
Yes, we have to use common sense, I for one will not pick up someone on the side of the road or give money to someone just because they need it for example - we need to exercise discernment and know what the Lord wants us to do.
But folks, we, the body, need to be the Christ that a dying world needs to see and be and it's not found in the church building or having a holier than thou attitude.
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