Do you know anyone who fits that definition? I know I can sure think of a few people, including myself, who can fall under that often. How about the "Arrogant Christian"? I'm sure we can all think of those people; you know, the "holier than thou" ones.
Why is that?
Why does it seem like followers of Christ are becoming more self-focused and conceited daily?
In the 21st Century, American culture, where everything is based upon materialism and social status, the natural tendency is to become focused upon ourselves; even in the Church.
How do we make our Church more attractive?
How do I make myself look more holy?
What verse do I post on my Facebook to make me look better than so-and-so?
Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.
You get it. It's all about us and quite frankly, it's disgusting.
Here's the main issue with this perspective for those who claim following Christ: the more time we focus on us, the less we focus on Him; the less we focus on Him, the more we miss His people.
Let me explain using a story in 1 Samuel the Lord has used immensely in my own life recently.
Here's the stage: we have Hannah (soon to be Samuel's mother). That's all you need to know.
[Funny how the Lord uses the most insignificant people to display significant truths of Himself, huh? It's awesome, really.]
In 1 Samuel, Hannah pleads with the Lord for a child [Samuel]. She prayed silently in the temple "pouring out her soul before the Lord (vs. 15)." While she was doing this, Eli, the Priest, watched. He assumed that Hannah was simply drunk because he couldn't hear what she was saying. Later in the story, once the Lord hears her cries and responds to them, Samuel is born and taken to the temple; to Eli, the same priest present when Hannah prayed for this child.
Here is the most beautiful line in the whole story: "He [Eli] worshiped the Lord there."
Did you catch that?
Hannah's faithfulness to the Lord, and not to man, allowed His faithfulness to become evident to man.
So much so, that Eli worshiped!
What would have happened if Hannah were focused on praying out-loud, like everyone else, to show that she was, in fact, worthy to pray to the God of all Creation? In other words, what if Hannah was arrogant?
Here's what: Eli wouldn't have worshiped.
Hannah pursed the Father. Man saw. Man worshiped the Father.
What a BEAUTIFUL story!
Now, lets translate this into the current culture we're all living in.
When was the last time you pursued praise of man; then, in turn, man worshiped our Father?
There's a disconnect. Do you follow that?
We cannot pursue man and, yet, allow the Father all the praise.
When we strive, whether subconsciously or knowingly, to receive recognition and praise from man, we're robbing the Creator of the Universe.
That should break us.
When our life is consumed with pursuing Christ, His people worship Him. Hannah displayed that.
Jonathan Dodson, author of Gospel Centered Discipleship, said this:
"Our holiness should compel people outside the church, attracting them to Christ. As living stones, our lives should spill over in a vibrant witness to the Jesus that changed us."
Because we couldn't change us. We desire praise; yet, do we deserve any of it?
God hates pride. In fact, I think of Proverbs 8:13 that says, "I hate pride and arrogance."
Can He be any clearer?
Satan demanded praise. Our prideful actions are not from the Lord, they're from the enemy.
As followers of Christ, our lives are to radiate Christ; not ourselves.
It's not until we take our eyes off of Christ do we turn them to ourselves.
Dodson also said: "When we are not gospel centered, we will veer off into comfortable individualism and abandon the mission."
When we turn our eyes away from Jesus, we forsake those around us.
What's the key to keeping the focus off of ourselves and on the only One who deserves it?
It's just that. Don't take your eyes off Him. Boast in your weakness because your weakness allows room for the power of Christ to rest upon you (2 Cor. 12).
As a Christian whole, we've become far too arrogant.
What would it look like if we gave Jesus the focus He demands of us?
After all, we are nothing and we can offer nothing.
Let's be like Hannah. Let's allow people to watch how we pursue the Lord, and Him only, and then lets watch them worship the Lord in response.
Repent.
Worship.
Repeat.
And watch this culture, world and all nations Worship the Lord.
What a beautiful privilege we have.
Isn't Jesus gracious?
More Scripture?
2 Corinthians 12.
Isaiah 66:2
Ephesians 5:1-2.
Colossians 3:3.
1 Samuel 1 (read it for yourself!)
