• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection Play nicely with your fellow citizens

Play nicely with your fellow citizens

Posted on March 13, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments


“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” (Ephesians 2:19, NASB)

Too often I have experienced situations, even in good churches, where people lose sight of the fact that the person in the next pew is a fellow citizen, with the same access to God. True, I’ve seen this more in unhealthy churches, but unfortunately, it can happen in any church.

It usually happens when one thinks himself of more value or superior in some way. It could be because of education, or length of service in the church. It could be because of a sordid background. Pride can find a million reasons to look down on another person. This should have no place in the church of Jesus Christ.

Divided Church Citizens

The antidote is to keep in mind that Jesus tells us that the one who wants to be first has to be the servant of all (Mark 9:35). Oh, and that whole beam and speck thing should be remembered also. What can you see in your fellow church member that isn’t a problem in your own heart?

Jesus has no tolerance for pride. Pride is always destructive and is the chief sin and chief tool of the Enemy.

Whether you are a leader or a follower, whether you are a teacher or a student, whether you are a shepherd or a sheep, this should be kept in mind: We’re all equal at the foot of the Cross. What do you have of eternal value that was not given to you? If you cannot earn your spiritual standing, what is there to be proud about?

So play nicely with that saint in the next pew, you will likely get to spend eternity with him.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

King

Even the King

I am encouraged by the hopeful expectation expressed by David. David expects that deliverance will come, it is only a question of when.

Saint Augustine

A man convinced against his will . . .

When we are dealing with people who have questions, we have to discern the motive behind the questions. Is the questioner merely using questions as a means of avoiding the truth?

Light

You are the light

We are called to dispel the darkness by growing in our relationship to God and being obedient to what he has called us to do. We are to be a beacon of hope to a world that desperately needs something to be hopeful about.

Research

Hypothesis, research and faith

The difference between science and faith is not one of method. The difference is what data are allowed to be considered. You may disagree with the presuppositions, but Christian thinkers follow the same methods of investigation and analysis that scientists follow.

Separation

Genesis 3 – Sin and Separation

There is a sense of longing in the culture around us. Implicit in this longing is an acknowledgment that things are not as they should be. Artists, politicians and marketers all play to this longing. Where does this sense of longing come from? If we are “dancing to our DNA” or if we are random […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
May 2023
SMTWTFS
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031 
« Apr    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in