14/5/26 - Not Holier Than Thou

'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.' This is from 1 John 1.8.NRSVUE and it is so applicable to all who claim to not only be Christian but also see themselves as being perfect in the sense of their holiness. No one is truly holy or holier than thou. There is a belief out there called 'sinless perfectionism'

which hold that it is possible for Christians to reach a point in this life where they can be 'sinless' or perfect in their thoughts and behaviour. So if that is the case then does that mean a person believing this does not have a bad thought, an angry thought ot sinful thought for days or weeks. I'm amazed! If only I could be as holy as those people...I don't think I am that perfect. Now, in all seriousness, this is not a view I have encountered from most Christians, in fact most Christians would state the exact opposite and would say that they are in need of forgiveness and that they need to repent every day of little sins they committed. Even impatience at the traffic lights for example.

Now while most Christians actively claim that they are not perfect. Is it possible that some believe deep down they are better than others, perhaps feeling that they are right and others are generally wrong in an argument, or that they have this mannerism about them that they are holier than thou. It might be that they feel superior which stems from compensating for deep insecurities (like an inferiority complex), coming from snobbery,  being intellectually arrogant after theological education, or letting the authority of a position get to their heads.

I struggled a little with the intellectual arrogance as I was studying a double degree. Thanks to my beloved wife who helped me to have more insight, I now have come to the knowledge and realisation that getting a degree means nothing regarding whether one is holier or not. Holiness can be summed up through a striving to love God with one's whole heart and love one's neighbour and one's self demonstrated through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Of course I never thought I was sinless, but that arrogent of being more holy than another is still arrogance and is not of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of humility and love, not of arrogance, haughtiness, narcissism or self-delusion. Don't get me wrong, I am not against getting degrees, in fact I would recommend getting theological education at whatever form suits you, your calling, and circumstances but be humble and examine your self and ensure that you don't begin to think you are holier because of your studies. Don't think you are holier for any purpose as this breeds arrogance.

True holiness is not self-aware holiness but humility, living one's life as normal in servitude, love, confidence, kindness, seeking to learn about one's faith and God through available means (not necessarily a degree), seeking justice, generosity, longsuffering, and gentleness.

These are the qualities of a Christian, and nit just a Christian buta anyone out there who is striving to be a good person.