We all, at times, fall under the spell of thinking we are somehow better than others – that we are in some way wiser, more spiritual, or somehow superior. Many churches in the past and even today arrogantly proclaim that they are the only "true" Christians. In the past century, when the non-instrumental churches of Christ split off from the Disciples of Christ, a few of the churches of Christ changed the Restoration Movement slogan from "We’re not the only Christians, but Christians only," to "We’re the only Christians"! It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the way we do things is somehow superior to everyone else. But this is not the way it’s to be in God’s kingdom.

We sometimes have an elevated opinion of our worth. A minister sent me this appropriate story on the minister’s Internet discussion list last week.

Two men were waiting in line at the Pearly Gates – the first a disheveled looking individual in jeans and a dirty T-shirt, the second a distinguished looking man wearing a long clerical robe with a silver cross hanging from his neck. Peter asked the first man his name and occupation. He gave it as John Smith, New York City taxidriver. After looking up his name in the book, Peter handed the man a silken robe and gold staff and ushered him into heaven. When it came the second man’s turn, he didn’t wait for the question, but boomed out in a confident voice, "I am the Reverend Archibald Snow, minister for 43 years at St. Matthew’s Parish." Peter once again looked in the book, and then handed the man a burlap robe and a wood stick. "There must be some mistake the minister protested. That taxidriver was given a silk robe and a golden staff, and this is all I get?" To this Peter replied. "We go strictly on results around here. When you preached in the church services, people fell asleep. But when the taxi-driver drove people through the city, they sure prayed."

Paul addresses this problem of feelings of superiority in the church in Colossians 3:10-14, and teaches us the correct attitudes we need to have.

When we become a Christian, we take on a new nature. Have you ever noticed after a product has been around a while, the manufacturers have to change it? Then they advertise the product as new and improved. That’s what we are when we become a Christian – a new and improved version.

Beare comments, "The new nature is not static, but is continually being renewed. It does not grow old or decay, but takes upon itself more and more the image of its creator. As man was made in the image of God, so when he is restored to true fellowship with God in Christ, the divine image which had been effaced by sin becomes ever more clearly visible."

We gain a new understanding of our Creator and how humanity has been made in God’s image. We no longer see people as different, inferior, or beneath us. We gain a new love and compassion for others. One of the most famous phrases from the Declaration of Independence is "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator...." As Christians, we have been set free to see people as individuals instead of members of a segment of society.

Paul argues that all are equally welcome in Christ’s church. That there is no difference among Christians. First he mentions differences of nationality – Greek and Jew. No matter what nationality, all are welcome in God’s family. We used to sing a children’s song, "red and yellow, black and white, they’re all precious in God’s sight." God does not care about our race or our nationality. He only cares if we have accepted Christ as our Savior.

Next Paul talks about spiritual arrogance – circumcised and uncircumcised. There is no question that some of the Jewish Christians of that day considered themselves spiritually superior to the gentile Christians. Many of the Jews had been serving God all their lives whereas the gentiles were new believers. But I wonder if some of the gentile Christians didn’t also feel superior to the Jews. After all, the gentile churches were on the cutting edge of growth. They were rapidly becoming the new center of Christianity, and the old ways of doing things in Jerusalem were soon becoming passé. So maybe many of the new gentile believers had their own problem with spiritual arrogance. But Paul tells us that there is no room for any kind of spiritual arrogance in God’s kingdom.

Paul then mentions two categories of people – the barbarians and Scythians. Not only did the Jews look down on the Greeks, but the Greeks looked down on the barbarians, who were defined as any non-Greeks. The Roman Empire, and the Greek Empire before it, considered themselves more enlightened, educated, and civilized than the surrounding nations. But Paul says this kind of prejudice is not allowed in the church.

The Scythians were considered the worst of the barbarians. They lived in the lands of the Mongols and Tartars. Barnes remarks, "...they were regarded as a wild and savage race. The meaning here is, that even such a ferocious and uncivilized people were not excluded from the gospel, but they were as welcome as any other, and were entitled to the same privileges as others." And finally Paul mentions two social categories – slave and free men. Even though much prejudice based on race and nationality has been eliminated in America, it is sad that socio-economic prejudice is so common. We need to learn to accept people from all walks of life, no matter what their vocation, financial situation, or where they live.

So who should we welcome into our churches? We need to welcome all people no matter what nationality, no matter how spiritually mature they may seem to be, no matter how crude or uncivilized they may appear, and no matter what their social or economic situation might be. God loves all people equally. If we are his people, we need to do the same.

Carson writes, "This spirit of divisiveness and hatred showed itself on a large scale in the ancient world in the religious, cultural, and social barriers which divided nation from nation, and man from man. But, for the regenerate man, while these distinctions exist as a fact of experience, they have no real significance, and certainly no religious sanction. ... In a world still bitterly divided by race, colour and social status, and in which the Church too easily succumbs to conventional attitudes, here is a truth which needs to be constantly recalled."

So this list of character traits Paul gives would have to be considered the basic and common garment of the Christian – compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience. Let’s look at each of these five characteristics.

Compassion is the ability to understand when others are suffering and going through a difficult time. This will naturally cause us to want to reach out and help. Kindness is the manner in which we should treat all people. Lowliness is the ability to understand that we are not above anyone else nor more important than others. It is a willingness to put other’s concerns above our own. Meekness is the demeanor which allows us to give a soft answer even in the midst of anger and turmoil and not respond in like manner. Patience is what helps us to not give up on others and continue to hope the best for them.

According to You

We are living a Gospel

A chapter each day,

By deeds that we do

And words that we say;

Men read what we live

Whether faithless or true

Say! What is the Gospel

According to you?

As part of the family of God, we are told to do two things – forbear one another, and forgive each other. Forbearing means to be willing to put up with others. Sometimes other Christians can rub us the wrong way or cause us to become frustrated by their misbehavior or slow spiritual growth. But we are to forebear one another. This means holding others up, supporting them, and encouraging them even when we may feel like giving up. Patience and endurance are important qualities that Christ wants to see displayed in our lives.

There also will be times when we have to forgive each other. None of us are perfect, so we can count on being offended by others from time to time. But when we truly understand that we are all imperfect Christians striving to live a godly life, we will gain compassion for the weaknesses, failings, and struggles of others in our church family. When we are wronged, we need to learn to forgive, just as God has forgiven us for Christ’s sake.

Carson remarks, "The believers are to bear with others and they are to forgive any injuries or slights received. This forgiveness is to be extended graciously even though the recipient may be unworthy."

This verse shows us the secret to overcoming our differences. Above all we are to clothe ourselves with love. When we do this our differences will disappear. Notice Paul says that love "binds everything together in perfect harmony." When we have love for each other, we can overlook many things. We can overlook differences, we can look past wrongs, and we can see Christ in others. As we do these things, we will find our community of faith growing in harmony with each other – in spite of our differences.

I have always been amazed that God can bring together a diverse group of people from all different walks with a diversity of views and philosophies and unite them to form a vibrant and growing church. It is something beyond our human ability. It is supernatural. God’s spirit binds us together. Let us be willing to welcome all into God’s family. Let us put on the clothing of love.

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Let us learn to practice love.