America's Shining Sea of Selfishness
When
America looks to the great landscape that has become the denominational world
it sees a vast plethora of ideologies and religious institutions. Most Americans ponder the idea of a religion
as second-nature to a common Sunday.
They wake up ready for the multi-million dollar gladiators to step
thunderously upon the lush plain known as the gridiron. Or they wait upon the cacophonous roar of the
mechanical horses ready to pace along the tar covered track. Needless to say the average American has a
fantasy about Sunday in one way or the other.
However, too few see the need for their fantasies to fall into that long
forgotten practice of worshipping our Lord and Savior. They skip the demands of God to look out and
live vicariously through their heroes.
God demands something else. He demands that his creation worship him in spirit and in truth. What does that say about our daily rituals of Sunday Morning worship? As a result of this demand mankind has to remember where he is the rest of the week. Sunday is not a day to cleanse ones sins in order to feel good about the week gone by. It is not a chance to meet new and exciting people with whom one may get a social club or society started. It is not a place to treat flippantly so one may get his or her card attendance card punched. Worship is a time to put ourselves in perspective and turn our attention to the God of Heaven and determine how we can apply the scripture on Monday -Saturday and not just Sunday.
The underlying problem is the desire of man to do what he or she wants. Selfishness permeates our communities. The churches of Christ are not immune to this attitude. Selfishness comes in many forms. The primary one is the selfishness of one's money. Additionally, selfishness can come in many forms; selfishness of one's time, selfishness of one's feelings and emotions, selfishness of one's possessions, selfishness of one's actions toward God, etc. The list could continue on and on.
As a result of this selfishness, America has continued to face many social problems. Americans sue each other at the drop of a hat. Americans scream for freedom but are willing to have it taken away at the expense of social equality. Americans want what they can’t have so they go into debt and never get out.
Selfishness is not new to mankind. It has existed from the beginning of time. Eve was so selfish that she took the fruit because she wanted to be equal with God. She allowed pride to consume her until she wanted that power all to herself. How selfish of mankind to think that one could ever obtain the knowledge and power of God?
Jonah ran away from God because he only wanted salvation to come to the Jews. Jonah was selfish towards the Assyrians. Jonah wanted the Assyrians to be destroyed yet he fled when God told him to preach repentance to them. How selfish of Jonah to think that his people are so much better than the Assyrians? They deserve to hear the gospel also.
Jesus' betrayer displayed the selfishness of the heart when he betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver.
Selfishness comes in many forms of man's pursuits of things not of this world. Usually the selfishness of man comes from his failure to obey the commands of God.
Do we pray continually? If not then maybe we are selfish about our time or possessions.
Do we live a Godly life? If not then maybe we are selfish with our attitude toward life and sin.
Do we worship God properly? If not then maybe we are selfish toward ourselves and want what we want.
Do we teach and preach daily? If not then maybe we are selfish with the gospel and want it for ourselves.
Plainly, selfishness has cause most to condemn religion and other aspects of the spiritual life in order to live without God. But those in the church of Christ should not be selfish of their time. They should want to study and pray and teach daily. They should not be selfish of their money and give freely and let the church body grow from their contributions. They should not be selfish with their worship to God.
Selfishness has gain momentum in America but it can be stopped. The way to stop it is to replace our selfish actions with selfless ones. We can give our time to the elderly and sick. We can give our money to buy needed supplies and tracts and offer to contribute more on a weekly basis. We can come to the church building and assemble with the saints at the appointed times. This way we can become selfless with our time, money, attitude towards worship, and our attitude toward one another. We will be judged on our selflessness and not our selfishness.
Posted in: Attitudes, Bible Lessons, Christian Sobriety, Conscience, Dishonesty, Disobedience, Faithfulness, Fundamentals, Pride, Sin, Temptation, Unbelief, Worldliness