Snob-Knob

By Joe Chesser

    Several years ago we moved to a new community.  We found a house we liked very much.  In fact, it was my wife’s dream house (and still is).  Not only was the house perfect, the location was also perfect, complete with a magnificent view of mountains and valleys.  However, we were disappointed to find out that some of the local people didn’t think so highly of that particular area and the people who lived there.  They gave that area the judgmental name of “Snob-Knob.” We definitely changed that perception.
    I suppose some people consider being called “snobbish” a compliment. Some people are purposefully “high and mighty” and “arrogant.”  Many of the British books and movies portray the upper class of the 18th and 19th centuries of promoting and practicing malicious condescension and arrogant disdain for those not born of their class. But unfortunately, snobbishness rears its ugly head in other cultures and eras, even in 21st century America.  And even more tragic is when these pompous attitudes towards others invade the Lord’s church!  
    You’ve seen it.  Those of you who are old enough to remember the bus ministry days, you’ve seen it. Those of you who have lived in racially diverse areas, you’ve seen it. Those of you who have lived in university towns, you’ve seen it.  Haughtiness can be found everywhere and over just about everything: wealth, education, politics, society, race, age, place of birth, sports teams, job descriptions, automobiles, clothing, hair color, stature, skills, experiences, food choices, speech, beards, marriage, church doctrines, song leading, iphones, video games, mission trips, teeth, houses, yards, deer hunting, ….
    It’s one thing for people of the world, people without the influence of Jesus in their lives to become arrogant and puffed up over such things, but when the people of God do so it is unacceptable.  There is absolutely no place for one Christian to view himself as better or others as lower.  In Christ there is no upper class or lower class.  No matter where we were when we became a Christian, we were all lower than Christ.  But when we were raised up from baptism, we were all equally given new life, being united with him (Romans 6:3-5). Once we are in Christ, there are to be no distinctions between people (Galatians 3:26-29). Sure, we have our individuality as members of the body of Christ.  We have different talents and abilities to use in service to God, but there is no place for pride.  All the parts should have equal concern for each other (1 Cor. 12:25).  In fact, instead of having the attitude of selfish arrogance, Christians are to have just the opposite attitude: “… in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4).
     What changes in the church would take place if we were all to start practicing this one principle of Christ? What would it do to gossip?  What would it do to division?  What would it do to jealousy and competition?  How would it improve our relationships, our families and our appearance to the community?  How would it affect our souls?

- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.cofcfruitland.com/