Plastic Christianity

"We should never look down on someone unless we are helping them up."
-source unknown

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other (v15) ... Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (v25). Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (v26).
Galatians 5:15, 25-26 [NIV]

I don't know about you but I am so tired of shallow, surface Christianity. One of the themes of the book of Galatians relates to the fact that it is not what we are physically [on the outside] that makes us Christians. Paul is dealing with the issue of whether or not the practice of the Law, specifically whether circumcision, is required for one to become a believer in Christ.

Life, and life as a Christian, is difficult enough without fighting with fellow believers in Christ. I don't know if you've come from, or if you're part of, a Christian community that has kind of an "unwritten social code." In other words, social mores that are not necessarily tied explicitly to Scripture. They have a tendency to become a kind of "New Christian Law." If one transgresses these rules, it can result in anything from being socially ostracized to being publically embarassed whether informal or formal. This type of Christian community can become a place where the real work of Christ in our hearts is often hampered by a lack of transparency.

How?

I become conceited - it is a source of pride, social status, community influence if I adhere to all of the social mores of a specific community.

Provoking - once pride steps in, it is a simple thing to begin pointing the finger and highlighting the failures of fellow Christians in meeting those social mores.

Envying each other - I then become incapable of allowing Christ to work in and through me because it is no longer possible for me to be transparent and real with my struggles to live a Spirit filled life. Thus I close off my heart and mind from others and attempt to compartmentalize what I am dealing with. Why? In order to avoid transgressing those social mores, which may or may not be tied to Scripture. For if I fail, if I stumble, then I run the risk of being ostracized at a minimum and publicly embarassed at the worst.

I know that I want to be learning how to be open and transparent in appropriate Christ-centered relationships whether that be mentoring relationships, or accountability partners, or whatever relationship God has brought into my life.

Personally, I've made the commitment to make every effort to leave my Mask of Plastic Christianity in the refuse heap where it belongs and refuse to ever pick it up again.

I hope and pray that you do not feel like you are dancing the night away at the Masquerade Ball for Christ. If you are, then I hope and pray that you can drop your plastic mask. You know, the one that covers your real heart. I pray that you'll be able to really get connected - with both God and with your brothers and sisters in Christ.