Guest Post: Competative Christianity

This is an entry from Jana's Journal on Xanga.  She hits the nail on the head when it comes to the way we are aways comparing ourselves to others.  My comment to her was on how it is such a slippery slope.  When we see legalism in something, we can find ourselves going so far the other way that we end up on the opposite spectrum of thinking but still being legalistic!  And truthfully, it does all come down to Pride.  We think our way is the right way.  The only way.  In reality, Gods way is the only right way.  Thank you, Jana!
Go HERE for her original post. 

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Breaking the Bondage of Legalism: When Trying Harder Isn't Enough

Is Your Worship Free From Legalism?: Galatians 5:26-6:18

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"For God so loved the word, that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life ForGod did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-17

Competative Christianity

Another word for it is legalism. Have you ever been touched by legalism? I have. It hurts. It's degrading. It's deceptive. It's ugly. It's completely unbiblical and very destructive.

I have seen other "brothers and sisters" walk around in an air of humility, yet it's an act of hypocrisy. They're "humbly" all puffed up about how many people they've led to Christ, how many times a week they darken the doorway of the church, how many ministries they're involved with, how long they pray each day, how modestly they dress, what Bible translation is the best translation and the list goes on. If you don't embrace all of these "fence laws" they impose on you......some will actually cut you off as though you are not part of the family of God.

When I look into God's word, my heart is saddened because I don't understand how the very children of God, saved by grace......could be so cruel and judgmental towards their brothers and sisters in Christ. Their actions go against the very word of the God they claim to serve! God's word says in Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" and yet the very people who call themselves "Christians (which means Christlike) will condemn their own family members based on the fence laws they have created......or have embraced and been taught.

God's word says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not PROUD. It is not rude. It is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. it alwaysPROTECTS, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE."

This is from the very word of God! It breaks my heart to see the destruction the very body of Christ does to itself by proudly looking down their noses at their very own family members....judging them for reading the "wrong" version of the Bible, judging them for their choice of places to worship, judging them for their choice of clothing....for how they live their lives, how they educate their children etc. There is a point at which we are supposed to judge, biblically, but so many people take it too far & pass critical judgment on people who are genuinely hearing the voice of God & living according to their God given convictions. This teeters dangerously on the edge of religion rather than relationship with Jesus. It's so important to grasp and embrace the fact that if we all build our house on the foundation of Christ, it doesn't mean the "floor plan" will be the same as everyone else's. Some homes are single level, spread out and vast in size. Some homes are built with a daylight basement, some homes are two or three stories high. Some are very large. Some are medium in size and some are small, cute little bungalows. The point I am making is that we are not callled to be "cookie cutter Christians." We are called to walk in accordance to the Word of God and with a personal relationship with him, not as a religion that has strict, stringent and harsh rules.

Disputable Matters

God has set aside an entire chapter of Romans to address this subject. Obviously He knew that we would engage in disputable matters. We have all been guilty of it. I know I have. There have been times when I have a new conviction on something that I feel so strongly about that I have given into the temptation to expect all believers to embrace the same thing. I honestly didn't understand how they couldn't see it the way I did. I do believe that most of the time, people aren't even aware that they are superimposing their own personal convicitons onto someone else. They honestly believe they are simply "holding them accountable." God's Word does address times when we need to do that, however He also takes seriously the judging of us against one another.

Romans 14 addresses this in depth.

I'll share a few verses from it: verses.1-4: Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

Verse 10-13: "You then, why do you judge your own brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God." So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."

Verses 16-19: "Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God & approved by men." Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace & mutual edification."

In verse 22 it says:"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn HIMSELF by what he approves." Wow, that's HUGE! God does not want us to stand with our arms crossed, judging and condemning & disapproving of our brothers & sisters in Him.

The scriptures use eating and drinking as examples of disputable matters. It's amazing how many disputable matters believers can find to squabble over and look down on each other for. Home schooling vs. public school, this curriculum verses that curriculum, whether or not a woman is dressing feminine & modestly if she chooses not to wear only dresses, whether or not babies should be put on a schedule or demand fed, whether or not children should sleep in their own rooms or with their parents, whether or not certain music is good or bad because it has a beat and instruments & of course whether or not a vegetarian diet is better than one with meat in it. My goodness it's amazing what people can come up with to squabble over. I'm sure the god of this world has a hay day stirring up silly problems with God's children.What is behind these desputes? Consider these possiblities: pridefulness, desire for power & control, fear of not being good enough, fear of losing control, a desire for respect from fellow believers etc..

The Bible speaks out on quarrels in several places & it seems to always come back to one common denominator and that denominator is selfishnes/pride. Proverbs 17:19 says: "He who loves a quarrel loves sin: he who builds a high gate invites destruction." 11 Timothy 2:23-24 says: "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." Proverbs 13:10 says: "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." James 4:1-3 says: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill & covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel & fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not recieve, because you ask with wrong motives., that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

I received this from a friend several years ago. It is very thought provoking and I meditated on it for a quite a while asking God to please help me lay down my own pride.

PRIDE

Pride is not the opposite of low self-esteem. Pride is the opposite of humility. We can have a serious pride problem that masquerades as low self-esteem. Pride is self- absorption whether we’re absorbed with how miserable we are or how wonderful we are.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…..because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment….because “you deserve better than this.”
I cheat you of knowledge…because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing….because you’re too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness….because you refuse to admit when you’re wrong.
I cheat you of vision….because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship…because nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love….because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven….because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory….because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue, I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry….
If you stick with me---You’ll never know.

Philippeans 4:8,9 which exhorts us in this way: "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if there is anything excellent or praisworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned, or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you."

If we look to God for wisdom and discernment there will be peace. If we resist the temptation to dwell on the negative but put God's Word into practice & humbly walk with Him, paying close attention to how He is working in our lives personally.....letting Him transform our minds & do His good work in us, we won't have time to sit in judgment of anyone else. We won't want to sit in judgment of anyone else. We will want to encourage them in their own relationship with Christ & build them up.

Proverbs 3:5,6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart & lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."