From within and from without, the phrase “holier than thou” has rung in my ears countless times. Outside of Christ, people claim that Christians act in a prideful way, wearing their salvation as an unattractive badge that turns the lost away.  Inside the church, people claim that we ought to be holier than those who aren’t in the church, and thus the phrase rings true. Over and over. Holier than thou.

I am so tired of the holy wars.

When I search through the New Testament, I don’t see anything about being holier than anyone. Instead, I see Jesus. I see Jesus teaching people to be loving and encouraging and serving others. I see Jesus’ apostles telling people to be holy as God is holy. Not holy as your brother/sister in Christ is holy. Not holier than the lost around you. Holy as God is holy. Holy like God.

Wow.

To me, that shows that all of us are missing the mark. All of us have room for improvement when it comes to meeting the standard that is Jesus Christ. And since we all have room for improvement in the holiness arena, it likely means none of us have room for holy wars. No room for competing for the top holy spot. No room for pointing out who’s less holy than we are. Instead, only room for striving for more holiness; striving toward mimicking Christ’s perfect example.

Praise be to our God that He is merciful toward His frail creation. Especially toward this frail member of His creation. Too often I am consumed in the here in now: consumed with competition. Am I being more righteous than so-and-so? Am I involved in more than her? Do I study more than him? Did I like enough religious articles on Facebook? But it’s not about that. It’s about looking like Jesus. Living like Jesus. Thinking like Jesus. And that means, anything less than my personal best is less than what Jesus is looking for. My personal best may be more or less than someone else’s, but that doesn’t matter in the least bit. I am required to give all of me, and you are required to give all of you. That is what discipleship is all about. Not you giving as much as me. Not me being “more holy” than you. But each of us striving to be the best version’s of ourselves that we can be.

And in the mean time? Treating each other with respect and empathy and understanding. Living out Romans 12 in our day to day walk. Being kind, giving preference to others, associating with the humble and not being wise in our own opinions. When we will do that, the holy wars will cease and the holy life will begin.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
(Romans 12:9-16)