All of us have been around people who desire to be the center of attention. Some of us may very well tend to be that person. The Christian life can sadly be easily warped into an opportunity that fuels our arrogance and desire for recognition. While we often talk about the need for and the different tools of being a disciple, it is perhaps too little that we discuss the attitude one must possess in this endeavor.
In the American church, we have often built an unhealthy view of those who lead: that they are spiritual superheroes. Everyone else is not. Therefore, I must do everything in my power to earn that same level of spirituality because I too want to be a spiritual superhero. I want to be recognized for my great spiritual maturity. I want to be the one who is always the hardest working volunteer. I want to be the counselor with the best advice that everyone comes to talk to. Often, this desire starts off in a good place: I want to help and serve my fellow believers. Yet, it can turn into a dark alternate that is fueled by jealousy, pride, and fear of man. Take a minute and consider Matthew 23. I’ll give a brief recap for you.
Jesus is talking to the crowd and his disciples warning them about living and acting like the Pharisees. Jesus describes how the pharisee's entire life was wrapped up in the attention that they desired. They wanted the best seats. They wanted recognition. They wanted the honor. Everything that they did, their “righteous acts,” were merely for their benefit. They were if we can say it this way, “attention sponges.” They soaked up the adulation from everyone around them, and Jesus states that this process leads to the burdening and binding of those who are following after them.
What is Jesus’ point in this teaching? Drop down to verse 11 and see what Jesus declares as the essential attitude of being a disciple: humility. “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus’ declaration of who is the greatest or the most successful is the one who embodies the identity of a servant. The person who does thankless work often goes unnoticed and is not often compensated. This is the spirit that Christ calls us to embody.
So, how does our life embody this? Here are some thoughts to consider.
1) Do I serve to be recognized, and get angry if I don’t?
This was the Pharisees’ biggest thing right? They wanted to always be the center of attention. I want the recognition. I want the pat on the back. I want applause in the church so everyone knows who I am and what I do. Those that Christ condemns are those who hold this attitude. Our heart should be one of humility that serves gladly even if no one knows who I am and what I did because that is the heart of humility.
2) Am I constantly critiquing other leaders or believers because they didn’t do it like I think they should have?
Do I have an arrogant spirit that always must be followed? It comes out like this: “I know so and so does it like this but a better way….” “If I were in charge, I would….” “I wish we had done this outreach this other way because it would have been more successful.” Consider for a moment the heart that is being displayed in these statements. It is not a heart of humility but rather a heart of pride that holds one’s self and ideas above all others. This is the exact attitude that Jesus is condemning in the Pharisees. Rather, we should rejoice in the work God is doing and humbly serve in whatever area we can.
3) Do I seek to create other disciples that look like me or look like Christ?
The Pharisees were more concerned with making more Pharisees than they were with making obedient followers of God. The spirit of humility seeks to lower one’s self and lift high the person of Christ. I don’t get caught up in making sure others follow and hold my same preferences. I push them towards obeying Christ. I don’t focus on making sure they do their devotions the same way that I do them or else they won’t be as effective as they can be. First, the Spirit will work through His Word whether they do it just like you or not. Second, we should push them to grow their relationship with Christ by enjoying His Word and praying with Him.
The Spiritual superhero is the one who recognizes that the only spiritual superhero is Christ. Our only mission is to imperfectly follow His example so others see Him, and grow in Him. Our spirituality and our life are not the end point of sanctification. Obedience to Christ and His Word in humility is the path to pursuing sanctification.
Sincerely,
Pastor Derek Whitman