Christian Arrogance?

You all know "that guy". The guy from high school who was just drenched in arrogance, almost to the point of it being a caricature. This guy was the epitome of perfection, in his own mind. I've made this point in the past when reflecting on life, but to me, I see life as a really good balancing act. Most of the time, as life goes on, you see the hard edges of arrogance begin to be softened as the "reality of life" sets in. The subtle ways that life deals trouble and difficulties, even to the most proud and arrogant, serve as incredible humbling agents. I'm sure if I was to encounter some people from the "old days" I would see them in a completely different light, tested by the circumstances of life and hopefully a little better, and humble, because of it. It's those that continue to live their lives exhibiting incredible pride and arrogance that trouble me the most, primarily because either life hasn't dealt them the same kind of testing moments it has the rest of us, or they just go out of their way to avoid it. Either way they are missing something. Today, while contemplating, I applied this scenario to Christianity. Did you know that there can be some rather arrogant Christians? Surprising I know. How do they get to that point of being calloused, critical, cynical, and judgmental? I think it's not unlike the person who carries over their youthful arrogance into adulthood, they simply either haven't been tested or go out of their way to avoid it. Think about it, Christianity is supposed to be an active faith that should be shared as a light into darkness, not simply the fulfilling chapter in a personal journey to God. Trials and perscecution are built-in features to Christian faith, but for some reason we do everything to avoid them, not realizing that they are vital in keeping us fresh, relevant, and humble. Isolate your faith to where it is all about you, and you will be arrogant. You will judge people. You will criticize the faith of other believers. You will hold your "efforts" for the work of the Lord above all others. You will lose your ability to identify with sinners. You will become detached from ever personally leading anyone to Christ. You will slowly begin to think that you actually do deserve grace, maybe even that you've earned it. Just some thoughts to ponder. Simple Application: Are you suffering from Christian Arrogance? Probably the simpliest test is this: Are you experiencing any level of persectution in your life? How you answer that question will reveal if you are living a Christian life void of the trials and persectutions, because of the name of Jesus, that are guaranteed to come your way. If you are living void of those trials and persecutions, you are in danger of Christian Arrogance.