Arrogance comes in many forms. Christians are not immune to the pride of life or the selfish nature of the beast. In fact, it is the very character of self-centered witness that often prevents us from succeeding in winning the lost to Jesus Christ. Sometimes we reject the wicked, not because we are Christians, but because we are arrogant Christians.
If we are not careful, we speak with disdain to the unsaved. Our attitude is haughty and reeks of dead worship. Instead of sharing the God of love, we explode with an air of carnal superiority. You would think that we redeemed ourselves.
Reflecting on Paul’s arrogance
The other day, as I read in Colossians, I reflect on the following verses:
“1 Because I would like you to know the great conflict I have with you, and by them in Laodicea, and by all those who have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 so that their hearts may be comforted, united in love, and in all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; “(Colossians 2: 1-2).
Notice the words Paul uses here: “as I have not seen my face in the flesh.” This statement seems almost arrogant and is not unique in its occurrence. Throughout the Scriptures, Paul uses similar words. For example, consider the frequency with which Paul admonished men and women to live and behave as his personal lifestyle examined:
“9 Do what you have learned, received, heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4: 9).
In the letter to the Colossians, Paul seeks to encourage the faithful to fully understand that they are complete and complete in Jesus Christ. However, in one place he makes a statement that seems to say that the work of Christ is not finished and that he lacks the power to complete all that it should have been. The verse says the following:
“24 Who now rejoices in my sufferings for you, and fills what remains behind the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for the sake of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24).
It is strange for a man of God to speak words that almost touch the perimeters of arrogance.
When I look back at the words this article begins with, it amazes me that a man should teach that Christians can be in short supply because they have not seen the face of a Christian brother. So I ask the Lord: Was Paul selfish? Did you really believe that your personal presence could better equip a Christian for spiritual warfare? If so, was it a proud statement or was it a simple Christian truth?
A need for companionship
From childhood to death, we have heroes, people who touch our minds and souls. Seeing another’s war scars and then reflecting on our own war scars encourages our faith. When a pastor shares the pain of his own past, we too find strength in knowing that others have walked where we have walked, and that we have known the same struggles as they have.
A healthy biological family draws physical and emotional power from each other. So too, healthy Christians draw spiritual power through fellowship and fellowship with their church family. This is a basic truth and the Apostle Paul fully understood it. That is why he so often exhorted men and women to come together in the name of Christ.
No writing is written for a vain purpose. Think about these words that Paul wrote. Make it a point to be close to your brothers in Christ. Know that there is strength in numbers. A single snowflake is powerless, yet when assembled by the millions, even the largest machines man can make must stop.
Paul was not self-centered or arrogant. He knew where he had come from and where he would one day go. And he knew the pain and the struggle of the journey. He also knew the value of sharing the victories of another.
Paul, the chosen apostle to the Gentiles, had a mind always determined to strengthen and encourage the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we remember these things and take them seriously, our testimony, although it may sound a bit arrogant, will be based on love, compassion, and mercy.
Does this mean that the lost world will accept and embrace us? Certainly not. Jesus has already made sure that most of the world will reject the words we teach. Yes, they will even hate and despise us to the point of death.
Our job is to convey a good message and make sure any rejection is due to words and not the hostility of an arrogant witness.