Selfless Christian Elitism vs. Selfish Worldly Elitism

[Bible Highlighter]

The Bible says, many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). Being of a select few chosen means that you are to be a part of an elite class or group. But this elite class is not to be entirely selfish. Their whole focus in life is to focus on loving God, and in loving all people (Mark 12:29-31), and not themselves. But some think that Christians are snobs or that they are saying, "Hey, I am better than you" just because a few of us Christians want to follow Jesus and or obey His commands and warn others against how sin can destroy our souls (if we do not confess and forsake our sins).

Sure, there is the "Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee" to keep us in check (Luke 18:9-14). Nowhere should we declare to God that we are better than other people. For we all need to be saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and by His inner working within us involving the Sanctification Process (Philippians 2:13) (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (Romans 8:13). No man can forgive his own sins, and no man can walk uprightly with God without the Lord. Jesus said that without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

We also realize that we are not anything in and of ourselves. Only God alone is good (Mark 10:18). Any or all good that we do is the Lord working through us, and we give Him the praise and glory for such things and not ourselves (Whereby we will not wrongfully boast in ourselves like with the works we see mentioned in Ephesians 2:9).

Christianity is founded upon the concept of not being selfish. Yes, there is the motivation that we are trying to save our own souls by following God's plan of salvation for our lives, but in order to save our souls, we have to be selfless and not selfish as way of life, and in our thinking. We are to esteem others greater than ourselves, and we are to love our enemies, and to pray for them, and to do good towards them. Our life should be focused on prayer towards God, and worshiping Him with our entire being, and in loving the poor, and in loving all people of all types. This is a challenge, but with God, all things are possible. For we cannot love if it is not by the power of God and by Him being able to change our hearts, and minds.

Where the world may desire us to join in their version of Elitism that is selfish (Whereby it seeks to serve primarily ourselves, i.e. the benefit of our health, wealth, and personal happiness), Paul says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2).

Paul says,

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1).

Jesus says,

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:24-25).

So we must deny ourselves, and lose our life for Christ. This is being selfless and not selfish because it seeks to put the needs of the Lord above one's own life, way, dreams, and thoughts.

Jesus said, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14).

Jesus said FEW be there that find this narrow way. This is joining in on Christian Elitism whereby we follow a selected chosen few who are truly following Jesus. So to tell others (even our own brothers) to follow Jesus, and to warn them against sin is not us trying to declare how we are better than them. We are nothing in and of ourselves. Our sufficiency of strength is not in ourselves but in God or the Lord Jesus Christ. We can do nothing without Him. We are merely following our instructions and pointing them to the Lord and His good ways by His Word.

Granted, all are welcome to join the Christian Elite class or chosen that God desires. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). But we are not better than anyone; We merely chose to surrender our lives to the good that the Lord wants to do through us.

Anyways, I hope that what I said with God's Word has helped you today.
May the Lord's goodness and mercy always be upon you and your family.

 

[Hammster]

Christianity is founded upon the concept of not being selfish. Yes, there is the motivation that we are trying to save our own souls by following God's plan of salvation for our lives, but in order to save our souls, we have to be selfless and not selfish as way of life, and in our thinking.

There is the flaw in your reasoning. No matter how hard you try to deny it, and no matter how altruistic your might try to be, your motivations will never be pure because you are still attempting to merit your salvation, even if not worded that way. It’s really no different than a non-believer trying to live a good life in order to get to whatever heaven is out there. The only difference is that you couch your view in scripture taken out of context.

Your intentions are good. There’s something to be said about that. But the bottom line is that it cheapens what Christ accomplished on the cross, which takes glory from Him, and that takes glory from the Father.

It’s better to have a motivation of love and thankfulness for what has been done us. We should be motivated because God graciously saves us apart from what we do. We should be motivated by the love a Father has for His children, and want to do good to please Him. Otherwise, there will be that nagging question, “am I doing good enough?”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

To all:

Except for certain Universalist Christians, every Christian believes they are a part of an Elite class. They have the right and correct path or way to God. However, in my experience most appear to justify the idea that they can sin on some level, and or be unfruitful, and unholy as a part of being saved by God's grace. But Titus 2:11-12 says God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world.

God is good, and His people are good, too. Believers (in the mass majority) who think they don't have to do anything for God as a part of salvation do not appear to be aligning with the whole counsel of God's Word. For the Scriptures say, that the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We learn that there were certain believers who did wonderful works in Christ's name and yet Jesus told them to depart from Him because they worked iniquity. Iniquity is sin. So there were certain believers who were cast out by Jesus because they justified sin. For they did not know Jesus because they did not keep His commandments (See: 1 John 2:3-4). Jesus was certainly choosing His elite class when He told that servant who were faithful over a little to enter the joy of His Lord (Matthew 25:21), and yet He told the unprofitable servant to be cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30).