Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
January 15, 2002 Van Ledbetter
Better Off And Better
I read recently a little story about a Christian who was told, "You Christians think you're better than anyone else." To which the Christian replied, "Not better, but better off."
I agree with that Christian person, but only partly. There's no question that Christians are better off. We enjoy the "peace that passes understanding." (Phil. 4.7) We have the hope of eternal life which anchors our souls. (Heb. 6.19) We have the "blessed assurance" that Jesus walks with us every step of our way. (Matt. 28.20) And we have the wonderful and loving fellowship of the Lord's people in His Body, the church. (1 John 1.7) Yes, in these and other ways, we're far better off than those who are not in Christ.
But I don't agree with the proposition that Christians are "not better." I claim that Christ's people are not only better, but much better!
If the accuser of that before-mentioned Christian meant that he thought the Lord's followers are just a bunch of "holier than thou," prideful, and arrogant people, he was wrong, of course, but it's still a point to consider. I have known church members who did wear their righteousness out on their sleeves like a self-glorifying badge of honor entitling them to spiritual "bragging rights." It can get ugly, and it can turn other people off quickly, and ought to be guarded against very carefully.
The truth is, however, that if Christians are not really better than people of the world--better morally, better ethically, and better in service to others--theirs is a terribly flawed discipleship. The whole idea of the "new birth" which will bring us into everlasting life is that God wants to deliver us from the power of darkness (Col. 1.13), and enable us to escape the destructive "worldly lusts" which corrupt the soul. (2 Peter 1.4)
If we are not made better people by following Christ, there's something terribly amiss in our Christian lives.
Van Ledbetter, De Queen, Ark.
