Contestant or Christian?

“Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Matthew 23:10-12

 

 

 

“The testimony they shared was soooo great wasn’t it?

I can’t wait to see God ‘do one better’ in my life.

After all, they are mere babes in Christ but I have walked with Him

years and years longer than they have!”

I know better than to ask if you’ve ever said anything like that; but have you thought it?

Yes, even in Christian circles we play the ‘one-upmanship’ game.

It’s a common flesh trait.

We have to outshine the other person.

We might want to call it Competitive Christian Drive.

 

“They lead one to the Lord?

Well, bless God, I’ll lead two.

I’ll see your three day fast and raise you five days!”

 

We act more like contestants than Christians.

Jesus saw this at work in His disciples and cautioned them concerning it.

Competition is all around us in our world.

We find it in sports, in business, even in our ‘game night’ at home.

But it has no place in the Body of Christ.

Just check out the Book of Revelation to see what the Elders in Heaven

do with their crowns in the presence of the King of Kings!

Here’s a novel idea – the next time you hear a wonderful testimony, resist the urge to imagine yourself sharing a greater one just to leave that person in your dust.  

Instead – rejoice with them in what God has done.

Honor Him by surrendering more of yourself to do His will, no matter what that means.

You see – the greatest testimony is the one that recognizes it is all about Him working in us and not how fortunate He is to have ME in His army!