The Spiritually Elite

By Jay Lockhart

    Paul gave some sage advice, yes a divine commandment, when he said, “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think” (see Romans 12:3).
    There are two things to keep in mind here: (1) one should not think more lowly of himself than he should—this is a false humility that overlooks one’s strengths and abilities; and (2) neither should one think more highly of himself than he should—this is pride that causes one to look down on others and alienates from God (see James 5:5).
    The proud are the spiritually elite who exalt themselves in their own eyes. They are those who have the attitude, “If you only knew as much as I know, you would think and feel as I do.”
    This attitude, causes one to look down on others and to pity them for being unspiritual. This attitude is divisive because it pushes its agenda slipshod over the less spiritual. This attitude is hypocritical because while it claims to be spiritually mature it is often harsh and unloving with those who disagree with it. This attitude is selfish because it insists upon its own way. This attitude is often rude and hurtful to those it considers to be less mature. This attitude believes it knows how to grow a church whether it has grown one or not. This attitude thinks it doesn’t need to be governed by scripture and places its own thought above the revealed will of God.
     Here’s the question: which of the above mentioned things express the attitude of Christ? The answer, of course, is none of them. We all are to be growing into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). We are to learn to think, speak, and act like Christ. When we fail we may display attitudes that are far from the imitation of Christ.
    We may only think we are spiritual people unless we are acknowledging what is written as the commandments of the Lord (see I Corinthians 14:37) and allow God’s word to guide our thoughts, our attitudes, and our lives.

- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com