There is no "I" in Christianity

Now before you go off on a tangent and start sending me messages about the fact that there are two alphabetical “I’s” in Christianity, I want to kindly point out that I am not referring to the alphabetical concept but the concept of the ego.  After all, is that not the concept behind the phrase “There is no I in team?”   One of the powerful preaching truths over the generations is the idea that the follower of Christ is to be different from the world.  The same expectations of God to the children of Israel is the same expectation of God to the follower of Christ.  It is important to note that when one views the laws of the Old Testament, one facet of the law was designed to help the nation of Israel lived as though they were God’s chosen people

Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. (Leviticus 20:26, New American Standard)

By using this verse, I am not advocating the legalistic attitudes much like that of the Pharisees because we are in the law of grace.  I lean to what Paul says in Romans letter,

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24, King James Version)

What I am advocating is the Biblical concept that there should be a distinct difference between the follower of Christ and the world.  That is where the “I” comes in.  In society, especially in the American society, there is a sense of entitlement and individuality.  From the life of Jesus and the epistles of the New Testament, that is a departure of what it really means to be a follower of Christ.  In fact, during the life of Christ, the attitude of entitlement and individualism was an attitude found in the Pharisees.  When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount which we read in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-11, Jesus leaves no room in His message for entitlement and individualism.   To go even further, Jesus leaves no room for entitlement and individualism. 

It is important for me to suggest that I am not refuting the idea of free will.  The Bible clearly teaches since the Garden of Eden that man has a choice and with that choice comes consequences or rewards, depending on what choice is made.  Found within the Bible is also the concept that choices show our commitment.  As Joshua told the nation of Israel

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15, New American Standard)

                The choice is yours what one does with one’s life, but as you read the entire context of Joshua 24, there is a consequence of our choices and the choice we make shows our level of commitment.  Obviously, the follower of Christ should make the level of Christlikeness and according to the Apostle Paul who challenges us to have the mind of Christ in our own personal lives shows that the testimony of our life is not one of individualism and entitlement.  Philippians 2 will be the basis of our discussion for this blog over the next several days in addition to other parts of the Scriptures.  Really, check it out, there is no “I” in Christianity.