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Selflessness
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celebrates self-love, self-worth, and self-actualization the idea that
there can be value in selflessness seems a hard sell. However, if we
consider that God is selfless as described by John that he is light and
light proceeds outward and illuminates, warms, and vitalizes, we might
see that light is not consumptive. Light doesn’t take, which is why
these is no darkness in God at all. If one reads the biblical
definition of love (1Cor 13:4-7) it pretty much can be summarized as
selflessness.
2Co 5:15 And that
he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Christians are told not to walk in the flesh but rather to walk by the
Spirit. This can sound abstract and even mystical. However, it is the
key to the Christian life. We are told to make no provision for the
flesh and even to mortify (put to death) the flesh (presumably through
starvation). This is essentially a transition from the selfishness of
the flesh (our natural state) to the selfless love of Christ-likeness.
Since we are all born helpless, ignorant, and selfish, we can see that
as we grow to be parents ourselves that we are almost forced in taking
care of selfish children to have to give up some of our own
selfishness. The curse God put on the earth after Adam and Eve proved
insufficient to prevent every imagination of our hearts from being evil
continuously (Gen 6:5). As a result, after the flood, God reduced our
life expectancy, made us subject to disease, and made the earth much
more difficult with things like winter and droughts. This was not
meanness, but a way for us to be motivated by survival to care for each
other and for some to even have an interest in God.
Some degree of selflessness can be acquired by being a parent. More is
often acquired in old age as the end draws nearer one finds in a
failing body less to contend for. The Christian has the advantage of
being able to willfully surrender selfishness and have the Holy Spirit
work in him to make him a better person. That so few Christians even
know this much less attempt is is sad.
Buddhists see in human desires that which is harmful and attempt to
extinguish it. Christians have the opportunity to transcend selfish
desires and exchange them for desires that seek the good of
others. Christians are supposed to mature in their faith until they
reach Christ-likeness (Eph 4:13). This requires us to stop seeking
after ourselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
It can be difficult in a society where families have been so reduced,
people are isolated, and schedules are so restricted to even have an
opportunity to do good for others. However, we can always pray for
others. If we grow in truth and wisdom, we can become humble and
grateful. This can be a point from which we can begin to let go of
self-seeking and grow in our concern for others.
Gal 2:20 I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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