The Dangers of Spiritual Elitism
As followers of Christ, we’re all equal in His eyes. It doesn’t matter what our background, social status, or accomplishments are. As the apostle Paul so eloquently put it, “Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us” (Colossians 3:11, NLT).
The Allure of Special Treatment
Let’s face it – we all crave a sense of importance and special treatment. It’s a natural human desire to feel valued and recognized. Perhaps we want to impress others or create an image of ourselves as being superior. But when we start to believe our own hype, that’s when trouble begins.
My Personal Experience with Elitism
I used to travel extensively for work, racking up miles and earning elite status on airlines. The perks were nice – priority boarding, upgrades, and extra attention. But when my travel schedule changed, I found myself back in the crowd, struggling to adjust to coach class and no longer receiving special treatment. It was a humbling experience, to say the least.
The Spiritual Parallel
Unfortunately, this kind of elitism can creep into our spiritual lives as well. Some Christians start to believe they’re better than others because of their position in the church, their theological knowledge, or their good deeds. They may think they’re more spiritual or closer to God than others. But this kind of thinking is a spiritual deception.
The Warning from Colossi
The church in Colossi faced similar issues, which is why Paul wrote to remind them that it’s not about what we are or what we’ve achieved, but rather whose we are. Christ is the only thing that truly matters, and He lives in each and every one of us.
A Sobering Reality Check
So, the next time you catch yourself thinking you’re better than others because of your spiritual accomplishments, remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. We’re all equal in God’s eyes, and our elite status is only temporary. Let’s focus on humility and recognizing Christ in each other, rather than trying to elevate ourselves above others.
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