Pious Pride

2 Kings 5:20

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, ‘My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.’

We sure have heard of religious leaders involved in immoral and corrupt practices. Who would blame church authorities if they’d rather not speak of such misrepresentations? These are but a handful compared to hundreds of pure dough. But in justice and for protection, the public would not buy it. They’d rather be cautious and suspecting and faithless. For how could they trust a system whose proponents are first to dishonor it? How is it even possible that those speaking the very words of God’s righteousness, those seemingly nearest Him, are first to fail Him?   
Let’s name one. Gehazi. A mere servant who saw all of God’s wonders by virtue of being near his earthly master, Elisha. To date, he saw a boy come back to life and possibly, the bread multiplication. Note that he wasn’t just a frontseater, he was onstage holding the staff and the loaves. He was doing the same menial training Elisha had for Elijah. Maybe, he felt way above the rest of the prophets. ‘An apprentice. I’m the next Elisha’. Pride crept in and filled his thoughts. After the healing of Naaman, he ran after the two talents of silver which his master earlier refused. He coveted those treasures, lied to a convert, and misrepresented Elisha’s office. He was so near God yet was not all for Him. So like Judas who was three years with Jesus but kissed him goodbye for silvers too.

Inside the Bible school, and graduating from there, I once and a lot felt way ahead of ‘ordinary’ laymen. Being armed with theories and theological terms, I thought I was a gift to the church. BUT NO! To my fellow grads, OH NO, WE’RE NOT! Knowing Christianity doesn’t mean living Christianity. For who by reading water books or living beach side or befriending a fish can guarantee a good swim? It has to be a personal, daily experience. By our mouth, we confess that He is Lord, and by our lives, we confirm it is true. Any discrepancy will put a question to our first commitment, meaning, if we are a genuine believers. And because we were branded as ones, by implication, it dishonors the Name we represent. And that God will not allow. To Gehazi, it was leprosy down his line. To me, a lot of humbling, debasing moments. Let’s not miss God’s wonders by being accustomed to it. Let’s not exploit our call by seeing it well-earned or deserved. We are all under grace and all under one rule. No VIP seats. Badges not honored.