by John Grant
“In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters and he lives in all of us.” Colossians 3:11 (NLT)
We all like to be treated like someone special. I guess it’s a natural human trait. Maybe we like a little extra care, or perhaps we want to impress others and create the image that we are just a little bit better.
In the past few years it seemed that I was in the air more than I was on the ground. It seemed like I was traveling somewhere nearly every week, often internationally and I began to really rack up the miles. First I became a silver, then a gold and finally a platinum flyer. With that came prior boarding, complimentary upgrades and lots of other perks.
I must admit that I got spoiled. Flying first class over the Pacific or the Atlantic is a nice experience, especially when you are going for a one or two day meeting and heading right back home.
Now, my schedule has changed and I rarely fly internationally and not nearly as much domestically either. Recently I was on a flight and when they called for pre-boarding for the “elite” flyers, I naturally walked to the gate only to find out that I was in “Zone 4.” By the time I got on board and settled in my narrow coach seat, the overhead space was gone and no came to ask me to step up to first class. I was lucky to get a bag of peanuts and a glass of bottled water. What a shock.
I had to realize that my elite status was but for a season and when all was said and done, I was just one of the crowd.
Have you ever met a self proclaimed “elite” Christian. They are the ones who think that because of the office they hold in the church or the class they teach, they are better than everyone else. Many devotedly religious people who think they are saved aren’t. Their elitism exudes spiritual deception. They fail to examine themselves or think they are “in” because their good deeds outweigh their bad ones.
The church at Colossi apparently had some of these elite problems because Paul wrote to them saying it matters not what you are but rather whose you are. He said Christ is all that matters and He lives in all of us.
Ever think you are better than others …… consider yourself as an “elite” Christian? Remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
(a thought on life from John Grant)
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2010/07/25/jg_elite-christianity/
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