One of the few things that irk me constantly is when Christians say the darnedest things without thought of God.
So they may something like, “We should do what other people do because being righteous will not get you anywhere. Who cares about others? Let’s just take advantage of them as long as I come out OK.”
I am normally in disbelief that people can actually utter such obscenities. Yes, it is obscene. It is selfish. Perhaps, I am paraphrasing but there are people who say things like that and think they are correct. How can we tell them they are wrong? Will they listen? More often than not, no. Instead they’ll get defensive and rant like lunatic till everyone shuts up so that they get their way. Yes, self-righteous.
I am horrified that I know such people. In fact, I get so saddened and disappointed with them because they actually naturally think this way. All that time in Church, studying and serving has done nothing but made them self-righteous and judgemental. Mix that together with their selfish behaviour and we get a… are we all this way? How can this be right? How can this be what God calls us to be? Are we to be of this world or not?
I don’t normally like to Bible bash but…
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2 [NLT]
I don’t consider myself a saint. In fact these days, I am far from God, choosing to be in most ways, enjoying the temporal pleasures of life. I do desire to be with God but instead I turn my back to Him and do my own thing.
So how can I look upon these obscene people and say anything? There is a fine line perhaps – one whose conscience has been shaped by the Holy Spirit and the other who refuses to be. One who has submitted on some level to believing and trusting that God’s ways are better and the other who thinks they know better.
Am I saying that I am better than these people? Does that not make me self-righteous? I suppose at some point, we are going to have to make such a stand. Yes, because I believe God has changed me … even if it is a little.
But the point is, selfishness can be viewed on a moral level too rather than a spiritual one. One does not need to know God to be unselfish. There are people out there who feel inclined to lead a more altruistic lifestyle not because of religion in any way.
I am at a loss for words when I see how these people react to things. How can we help them? Can they be helped? Will they allow people to help them in the first place?
They will always find fault with others or say it is the fault of others but in reality, they are usually the problem. It is depressing just thinking of it.