Competitive Christians?

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/23/2006

One thing I have found to be much more common now in the "Christian" community, is not only doctrinal bickering, but the desire to be more "right" than the next person. Everyone wants to be better, or more righteous appearing, or more holy, or more busy, or their ministry is better. It is all about me.

Isn't that the world's way of looking at things?

Is competitiveness among Christians a good thing?

As long as we look inward at each other, and who we can be better than, and what we can do to "outdo" someone else, we cannot look outward … and say Jesus, what work would you have me do for your kingdom today.

Let's look at what the Bible says the Christian community should be doing.

Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives -through contentiousness, strife selfishness, or for unworthy ends - or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself - thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves.Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not (merely) his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:2-4

So we are to have
one mind
one purpose
one love
one full accord
one intention

How long since you have seen this among Christians?

In chat rooms I frequent, it is not only a study in psychology to watch some of the misguided people who feel it is their life's work to "set people straight", some of them feel it is the "Christian duty" to rebuke people into heaven.

Then we have the folks who like to say they are better Christians because of the church they attend, or the work they are doing. It has become a matter of personal pride, rather than working for the kingdom of God. People have forgotten their first love.. and put themselves first.How long since you could look at someone in love and say I think more highly of them than I do myself, because they are my brother in Christ? This is truly a struggle for all of us, few there be that have reached this level of spiritual maturity and focus.

Does this mean we put ourselves down, and hate ourselves, or feel unworthy? No … we are all children of God. It means we should have humility, and remember it is all about Jesus.. not about us. We are all still under construction, still growing.

Then I find there are people who get jealous of each other's ministry. They don't realize they are doing it, but they are unable to even encourage someone in their work, because in their heart they are resentful that person is actually out doing something for God's kingdom.

My friends, the more I do this work for Christ, the more it humbles me. When I get letters from people talking about how they feel a specific devotion was written just for them, and how did I know what to send. I know full well it isn't about me. The Holy spirit knows the needs of people.. and when I pray over my work each morning, if I use his scripture, and ask his leading… God will open the words and implant them in the minds of people.. ministering specifically to them. I cannot do this on my own, especially not knowing people personally.

No one knows better than me, my past, my unworthiness,yet God will use us, when we have a willing heart, and asurrendered spirit, broken before Him.

But when we surrender to the Holy Spirit, he works in us. It no longer becomes a selfish, self-focused, look at me work, it becomes a look at Christ, he is our sufficiency, who can I reach for Him today work.

If you cannot look at a fellow Christian and encourage them in their work, you are envious and you need to pray about it. We are not here to compete with each other or outdo each other. We are here to work as a cohesive unit in one mind, one heart, one body for Christ. If you have a problem doing it (we all do) then pray. Pray and ask God to help you be teachable, open, humble, wise, and full of His Spirit and not your own selfish will.

This thought is so heavy upon my heart. We are to be a light. If there is a shadow of darkness, or rebellion, or selfishness in us.. we are blocking that precious light of Jesus from shining out of us.

If you received this today, and you say this is not about you, you are wrong. We are all still growing, and learning, and we all still need to adjust our attitudes and learn to work with other Christians, even if we are very different people.We are not here to choose who we like, or who we get along with, or who makes us happy to work with. We are here for God's work, and we need to learn to get along so we can accomplish something for Him. We are all supposed to be a cohesive part of the "body" of Christ, working together for His glory and to reach people for Him.

In conclusion.. here is a excellent verse to push us towards that high calling of God upon our life.
Do all things without grumbling and fault finding and complaining (against God) and questioning and doubting among yourselves. That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation - (spiritually)perverted and perverse. Among whom you are seen as BRIGHT LIGHTS - stars or beacons shining out clearly in the dark world.
Philippians 2:14-15

We are his people.. called out.. to a higher calling, a holy one. We are only here for a time.. we are to be alight, a witness to a lost and dying world. We cannot do that if we are selfish, or fighting each other. We have to remain teachable, loving, andthoughtful.Because we have left the old life behind, and we are new in Christ Jesus.. old things passed away, all has become new.. we are now here for His glory and His honor.

Love one another as I have loved you, by this will all men know you are my disciples if you have love to one another. John 13:34-35

Pray over this today, and ask the Lord to show you yourshortcomings on the way you work with and deal with people.Then be prepared to face them, and be willing to make changes. So we can all be of one accord for Him, and pure representatives of His light to a lost and dying world.
remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last