Sunday, June 28, 1998 This Week’s Lesson:
In this week’s lesson, which came from I John 2:15-17, James 3:13-16, and Philippians 2:19-24, we learned about the importance of being humble and of avoiding self-centeredness. As humans, we can easily become too absorbed by the cares of our own life, such as our own ambitions, needs, desires, interests, comfort, and security. We currently live in the "me" generation, and seeing people who only care about themselves has become very commonplace. According to the passage from I John 2:15-17, however, Christians should live by a different standard. Genuine love is not selfish, and it does not manipulate or mistreat others. The Apostle John wrote that we should put away our individual cravings, that we should not give in to the lust of our eyes, and that we should not become overly drawn to what we have or do. The things of this world will pass away. Therefore, we should seek to do the Lord’s will with our lives. Only He can be trusted to never change, and only He can be trusted with our future. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
In the passage from James 3:13-16, we saw that self-centeredness leads to a sinful lifestyle. Wisdom is a gift of God, and it is cultivated by a life lived in faithful humility. Wisdom and understanding manifest themselves in a good life and in that life of humility. James wrote that the wisdom which displays bitter envy and selfish ambition is not from the Lord. It is of the world, and nothing good can come from it. Bitter envy is when we are mostly concerned about our own position relative to others. Selfish ambition speaks to the issue of always seeking to advance our own agenda instead of sharing the spotlight with those around us. In Philippians 2:19-24, when the Apostle Paul needed a selfless person to go to the church at Philippi, he needed someone who would put the needs of others ahead of his own. Since he could not make the trip himself, Paul sent the next best person, his beloved follower, Timothy. The Quarterly indicated that believers should have a genuine concern for others, and Timothy had already proved himself to be such an individual. When we demonstrate a genuine, sincere concern for others, they will be able to see the love of Christ in and through us, and that experience will draw them to our Lord.
It is very easy to be self-centered in our present world, but being self-centered is not behaving like our Lord. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus did not have to leave heaven, take on the body of a man, and live a selfless, sinless life for you and me. But He did. He did not have to go the cross at Calvary and die for us so that we can be reconciled to God. But He did that, too. Can we who name Him as Savior and Lord settle for any less from ourselves? Certainly not. We are only human, and we will often fail. However, let each of us do our best to carry our cross for our Lord and be faithful followers of Him. During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone who needs a helping hand or an encouraging word. Then, do your best to help that person meet their needs.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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