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.
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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