The great rebellion against our Creator comes from a selfish nature that promotes my needs above everything else. Selfishness is at the core of all sin. Even after we accept Jesus we struggle against the desire to seek what is good for us, ahead of what is good for others. It causes fights in church, and leads us into wrong doctrine. Sometimes it gets so bad I wonder if we are even reading the same Scriptures. Do we not understand what Jesus was saying when he explained what it takes to be his disciple?
“All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
I hear a lot about crosses and following and very little about denying ourselves. In fact, it is the opposite. It is all about rights, self love, promoting self, protecting self. People believe because they feel it they have to act on it. There is so much confusion and lines being smudged because we don't know how to say no to ourselves, to step into our responsibilities and to live as Jesus lived.
The very foundation of our Christian beliefs is self-sacrificing love, putting other people ahead of ourselves, considering other people more important than ourselves. This is based on the fact that since we have Jesus we don't need anything else and that demonstrating the love of Jesus costs. It costs us our right to be hurt, our right for vengeful justice, our right to be right:
Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
It comes down to understanding what Jesus meant by "take up your cross daily". Why are you here? For yourself or for Jesus? Are you here to make a great life for yourself or to carry out the will of Father? Our life has a purpose here. Do you understand what it is? Consider Paul's view of his life:
I please everyone in everything I do. I don’t look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:33)
Not a lot of place for self gratification or self love there. Paul lived so people could be saved. His desire was to be used by Jesus for the salvation of others. His desire, his interests, his comfort were not important. He was pliable according to the situation so he would have the opportunity to present Jesus. This is love, not to love ourselves but to pour out our lives to the benefit of those for whom our Lord laid down his life to save. Is there a more noble reason for us to live a self-less life in service to our King and the lost of this world?
Showing posts with label selfish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selfish. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Friday, July 12, 2013
The Change Can Start With You
Isn't life great! We have friends, a job, a house, a couple of cars, the retirement fund is growing nicely, we can afford to travel or just stay home and enjoy our large screen TV. We have the internet, our social networking, YouTube, our music, some books. Who could ask for anything more?
That stuff might be fine for people who do not claim Jesus but it's not fine for you. You are a Christian, the Christ follower, a child of the Father, possessed by the Holy Spirit and as such Jesus instructed you:
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. (Matthew 6:31-32)
Trust God, is what Jesus is instructing. Don't run after the priorities of this world, is what he says. Your priorities are so much greater:
But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. (v.33)
The psalmist stated of those who chose the priorities of the world:
You love foolish things,
and you run after
what is worthless. (Psalm 4:2b)
Are there any better words to describe the priorities of our life? What are our dreams? What are we pursuing? Some people have noble notions of what they want to do with their life but most people live to exist. They just want to make it through their day. They just want work to be over so they can go home, order in a meal and watch tv. They just want a comfortable life. But those who have chosen Jesus, who have been adopted as the Father's children, are not called to a "normal", comfortable life. We have been told to put God's work first and to do the Father's will. This can lead to uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations.
We have to make some right choices today.
We have to choose Jesus.
Every day we have to make that choice that "today I will serve the Lord". Choosing to pursue our comfort is not choosing Jesus. The great servants who went before us did not choose their own comfort. They set aside the pursuit of self and looked square into the Father's priorities and it changed them. They were not petty in their relationships. They rose in spiritual maturity, throwing off childish attitudes and walked in the anointed calling and purpose of their life. It cost them but the benefits far outweighed the cost.
If your day was put under the microscope would you consider yourself running after what is worthless or being faithful to God's work? Are you building your life, collecting your possessions, finding comfort in this place or are you doing what our Father wants? It's not completely our fault if we have it wrong. We were taught wrong. We were not coached and helped along or if we were it was from a wrong perspective. The Church has done an appalling job of directing and instructing people in the priorities of the Father, of instructing them in what is holy and what is common. As long as our mega churches are full and we have a form of Christianity, as long as the bills are being paid. What a foolish people we are! The Church is pursuing the same things that the confused children of God are pursuing.
There needs to be some changes to move us from the acceptable practices of this world to a passionate service to our King; to move from the common to the Holy. That change can start today. That change can start with you. There are choices to be made today. There are priorities to uphold. Jesus' words
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Who will you serve?
That stuff might be fine for people who do not claim Jesus but it's not fine for you. You are a Christian, the Christ follower, a child of the Father, possessed by the Holy Spirit and as such Jesus instructed you:
Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. (Matthew 6:31-32)
Trust God, is what Jesus is instructing. Don't run after the priorities of this world, is what he says. Your priorities are so much greater:
But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. (v.33)
The psalmist stated of those who chose the priorities of the world:
You love foolish things,
and you run after
what is worthless. (Psalm 4:2b)
Are there any better words to describe the priorities of our life? What are our dreams? What are we pursuing? Some people have noble notions of what they want to do with their life but most people live to exist. They just want to make it through their day. They just want work to be over so they can go home, order in a meal and watch tv. They just want a comfortable life. But those who have chosen Jesus, who have been adopted as the Father's children, are not called to a "normal", comfortable life. We have been told to put God's work first and to do the Father's will. This can lead to uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations.
We have to make some right choices today.
We have to choose Jesus.
Every day we have to make that choice that "today I will serve the Lord". Choosing to pursue our comfort is not choosing Jesus. The great servants who went before us did not choose their own comfort. They set aside the pursuit of self and looked square into the Father's priorities and it changed them. They were not petty in their relationships. They rose in spiritual maturity, throwing off childish attitudes and walked in the anointed calling and purpose of their life. It cost them but the benefits far outweighed the cost.
If your day was put under the microscope would you consider yourself running after what is worthless or being faithful to God's work? Are you building your life, collecting your possessions, finding comfort in this place or are you doing what our Father wants? It's not completely our fault if we have it wrong. We were taught wrong. We were not coached and helped along or if we were it was from a wrong perspective. The Church has done an appalling job of directing and instructing people in the priorities of the Father, of instructing them in what is holy and what is common. As long as our mega churches are full and we have a form of Christianity, as long as the bills are being paid. What a foolish people we are! The Church is pursuing the same things that the confused children of God are pursuing.
There needs to be some changes to move us from the acceptable practices of this world to a passionate service to our King; to move from the common to the Holy. That change can start today. That change can start with you. There are choices to be made today. There are priorities to uphold. Jesus' words
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Who will you serve?
Friday, November 30, 2012
Where Have All The Producers Gone?
I often ask this question of people: Are you a producer or a consumer? The short answer is that we are both but the eternal answer should be that we are producers. Unfortunately our society is bent on creating consumers; people who do nothing but consume whatever junk is thrown their way. Very little of it is of any value, mostly just entertainment related things. But we eat it up with an insatiable appetite. What is it that we are contributing, producing for our society?
The seed of God is not a consumer but a producer. Wherever God's Word goes things are produced. Wherever God's love is shared things are produced. Wherever he sends his children things are produced. We are seeds. We are producers. We contribute. If we are born of the Spirit it is part of our new character and we can't help ourselves.
In one of my favorite passages of the Bible, Isaiah 55, God says this of his Word:
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (vv. 10-11)
"It will not return to me empty". Jesus gave that same direction for our lives as he told the story of the talents. A master was going away for a while and he gave some money for his servant's to invest for him, to produce more. The one who produced the most from what he was given was rewarded the most. The one who produced nothing was rejected. Our lives are like that money. We have been given many blessings but those blessings are not to be selfishly hoarded away but instead they are meant to be given out, shared, planted, invested so that they will produce.
Paul encouraged the Colossians with this:
All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. (Colossians 1:6)
Wherever the gospel goes in produces growth. We have been given this gospel to seed into people's lives but we are like farmers who hold on to the seed, afraid of offending the soil. People are not being saved from death because we are too afraid of offending them; we withhold the good news. We have not yet understood that we have the key of life to be offered to those who are dying. If they accept it or not is up to them but how will you know unless you offer it?
So again I ask, are you a producer or consumer. We have enough consumers in this world, what God has called you to be is a producer. Wherever the gospel goes it produces fruit and there is growth. Are we taking the gospel with us wherever we go? Do we trust that God will do something with it? Are we willing to set aside our fear of rejection and just trust that God will use the words he places in our mouth and the action he gives to our hands? We are producers because of Christ in us, so let's get to work.
The seed of God is not a consumer but a producer. Wherever God's Word goes things are produced. Wherever God's love is shared things are produced. Wherever he sends his children things are produced. We are seeds. We are producers. We contribute. If we are born of the Spirit it is part of our new character and we can't help ourselves.
In one of my favorite passages of the Bible, Isaiah 55, God says this of his Word:
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (vv. 10-11)
"It will not return to me empty". Jesus gave that same direction for our lives as he told the story of the talents. A master was going away for a while and he gave some money for his servant's to invest for him, to produce more. The one who produced the most from what he was given was rewarded the most. The one who produced nothing was rejected. Our lives are like that money. We have been given many blessings but those blessings are not to be selfishly hoarded away but instead they are meant to be given out, shared, planted, invested so that they will produce.
Paul encouraged the Colossians with this:
All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. (Colossians 1:6)
Wherever the gospel goes in produces growth. We have been given this gospel to seed into people's lives but we are like farmers who hold on to the seed, afraid of offending the soil. People are not being saved from death because we are too afraid of offending them; we withhold the good news. We have not yet understood that we have the key of life to be offered to those who are dying. If they accept it or not is up to them but how will you know unless you offer it?
So again I ask, are you a producer or consumer. We have enough consumers in this world, what God has called you to be is a producer. Wherever the gospel goes it produces fruit and there is growth. Are we taking the gospel with us wherever we go? Do we trust that God will do something with it? Are we willing to set aside our fear of rejection and just trust that God will use the words he places in our mouth and the action he gives to our hands? We are producers because of Christ in us, so let's get to work.
Friday, October 19, 2012
In Your Anger Do Not Sin
I used to be a very angry man. When I was young I would slam doors, punch walls and throw things as an expression of that anger. Many people who know me now would never believe that about me, would never have suspected. I used to be very passionate in my anger and it was wrong. The Lord had to save me from that passion, and he did. Some would say that I am a very patient man now but I see it more as a man who has learned to trust the King who changed me.
It is not that I am void of anger, I have only learned that I am not the center of the universe. Consider it for a moment: What causes us to become angry? Is it not when we consider that someone has wronged us, when someone has trampled on us or on something we love or when they steal something away from us? This is an opportunity to show yourself to be a disciple of Jesus, possessed by his peace and here to serve others. Consider what Jesus taught:
- love your enemies
- do good to those who hate you
- bless those who curse you
- pray for those who mistreat you
- If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.
- If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
- If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (Luke 6:27-30)
Of course the only way to have such an impossible attitude is to experience the love of Jesus. There is no way we can find it in our humanism to live such an attitude with no resentment without a great revelation of God`s love. Jesus taught this:
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:32-35)
Again, impossible without the revelation and possession of God`s love. Quite radical even in this enlightened age we live in. Most people are charitable but they are not willing to be abused for that charity. Most people love those who are kind to them but they still hold grudges and seek vengeance. Most people look for justice and hope to profit from someone else`s hurtful actions. Essentially we are a very angry society because we are a very selfish society, stumbling around in the dark, trying to survive with no consideration of the true light Jesus brings to us and is to us.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
He is quoting Psalm 4 here. The passage reads:
In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. (Psalm 4:4-5)
The secret to having control over your anger is the last part; have a right relationship with God and trust Jesus. Trust that he uses all things for your good. Trust that he is looking out for you. Trust that you can leave all your personal concerns in his hands while you are busy with the Kingdom's work. Trust and consider others more important than yourself. Consider that Jesus set aside all his personal interests and self-preservation and laid down his life for you. He in turn tells you to love others in this same manner.
If you are truly passionate about Jesus then there is no room in your heart for self-centered anger. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. He is a just God which means we really need to pray for our enemy, that they would come to know Jesus before they come face to face with our just God. If you are a true disciple of Jesus you will obey his teachings. If you truly love him, you will do what he has commanded. With love, true love, self-sacrificing love, there is no room for selfish anger.
It is not that I am void of anger, I have only learned that I am not the center of the universe. Consider it for a moment: What causes us to become angry? Is it not when we consider that someone has wronged us, when someone has trampled on us or on something we love or when they steal something away from us? This is an opportunity to show yourself to be a disciple of Jesus, possessed by his peace and here to serve others. Consider what Jesus taught:
- love your enemies
- do good to those who hate you
- bless those who curse you
- pray for those who mistreat you
- If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.
- If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.
- If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. (Luke 6:27-30)
Of course the only way to have such an impossible attitude is to experience the love of Jesus. There is no way we can find it in our humanism to live such an attitude with no resentment without a great revelation of God`s love. Jesus taught this:
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:32-35)
Again, impossible without the revelation and possession of God`s love. Quite radical even in this enlightened age we live in. Most people are charitable but they are not willing to be abused for that charity. Most people love those who are kind to them but they still hold grudges and seek vengeance. Most people look for justice and hope to profit from someone else`s hurtful actions. Essentially we are a very angry society because we are a very selfish society, stumbling around in the dark, trying to survive with no consideration of the true light Jesus brings to us and is to us.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
He is quoting Psalm 4 here. The passage reads:
In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. (Psalm 4:4-5)
The secret to having control over your anger is the last part; have a right relationship with God and trust Jesus. Trust that he uses all things for your good. Trust that he is looking out for you. Trust that you can leave all your personal concerns in his hands while you are busy with the Kingdom's work. Trust and consider others more important than yourself. Consider that Jesus set aside all his personal interests and self-preservation and laid down his life for you. He in turn tells you to love others in this same manner.
If you are truly passionate about Jesus then there is no room in your heart for self-centered anger. Vengeance is mine says the Lord. He is a just God which means we really need to pray for our enemy, that they would come to know Jesus before they come face to face with our just God. If you are a true disciple of Jesus you will obey his teachings. If you truly love him, you will do what he has commanded. With love, true love, self-sacrificing love, there is no room for selfish anger.
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