Bible

Bible

Friday, July 23, 2021

 

Surrendering Self to God

 

Have you ever asked yourself what is the greatest problem facing the church today? Much has been preached, written, and discussed as to what issues need to be addressed in the church.  False doctrine is certainly an issue we should be concerned with, as it has ravaged many congregations recently, but I believe this to be a symptom, not the problem itself. Lethargy in members, and a lack of commitment to the work and worship of the church, is another issue that should be addressed. But again, these are symptoms of the real problem.

 

I believe the greatest problem facing the church today is that of selfishness. Why do I say this? If we go back to the garden of Eden, it was the selfish desires of Eve that prompted her to be tempted by the serpent. In the process of being tempted, the text tells us, The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it” (Gen. 3:6). Her desires prevailed over the words of God. She pursued a course that gratified what she wanted over what God commanded. In the end, she came to understand the infinite will of God was far better than what she had concluded was better for herself and Adam.

 

This pattern of putting self over God is duplicated at some time in everyone’s life, which leads to setting aside God’s will for our own, and then having to deal with the consequences it brings. When self takes God’s rightful place in one’s life, all these other issues arise. Why are there those who would introduce false innovations in our worship, such as instrumental music? Instrumental music pleases self, gratifying what some want for worship and what makes them “happy.” Why do some have no time for worship, or to be involved in the various good works of the church anymore? People selfishly fill their schedules up with what they want to do and leave no time for spiritual pursuits. Why do some not give as they’ve been prospered? Many people’s budgets are prioritized around selfish desires, leaving little or nothing to give God, who offers all the rich blessings we have to begin with?

 

Paul knew this was happening in his generation, and could happen in every generation. “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new.
They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths
” (2 Tim 4:3-4). Selfish attitudes can only bring pain, suffering, and harm to the Lord’s body, as the quest to gratify one’s desires brings one into conflict with others seeking the same for themselves. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you” (Jas. 4:1).

 

The solution to selfishness is for Christians to cultivate a selfless spirit. Paul encouraged the congregation in Philippi, Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). To the Corinthians Paul pleaded, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Only by humbling ourselves together in submission to the will of God will we find peace, joy, and what is best for ourselves, for one another. “For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love” (Gal 5:13).  May we let go of self, that we can hold on to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

μαράνα θᾶ

Robert

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