Bible Students

It is often said, “Ministry would be so much easier without all these people.” I find that very funny. However, the reality is, working with people is hard. Discipling people, even more so, is often discouraging and difficult. One of the main reasons for that is selfishness.

Selfishness: According to the Bible, this is humanity’s universal weakness (Romans 2:23). Selfishness, more commonly known as “selfishness,” is choosing one’s own way over God’s way. For example, God’s way is to love (Galatians 5:22), but choosing our way is to hate. God’s way is to be patient and kind, when our way is often to be impatient and rude. 

In order to help us understand both ourselves and those we disciple a little better, let’s take a look at humanity’s universal weakness: Selfishness. 

Selfishness is a horrible thing that affects all kinds of relationships and has all kinds of fallout. Selfishness affects three main areas: the relationship with oneself, with other people, and with creation. Additionally, God views all selfishness as worthy of eternal punishment in hell, separated from God in suffering. Thankfully, God has made a way out of this selfishness, and that is what we will close out with.

Selfishness Hurts Everyone

First, selfishness damages the relationship to self, other people, and creation. Selfishness has natural fallout which destroys the purpose of individuals and their relationship with themselves. Selfishness brings guilt, but that guilt often turns into shame. Selfishness harms what the individual has been made to do. Additionally, selfishness harms the relationship between the self and other people. People were made to have dominion over creation together, and when selfishness enters the picture, the relationship with other people is damaged. Proper relationship can not be had when selfishness is present. Lastly, selfishness harms the relationship between people and creation. People were made to have dominion over creation, and so when selfishness enters the picture and people are not able to work well together, dominion over creation suffers and creation is not made to be tamed. 

Selfishness is Serious!

Next, selfishness is serious because according to God’s eyes, all selfishness is worthy of eternal separation from God. All selfishness, no matter how small, is worthy of separation from God for eternity. Selfishness is ultimately rebellion against God. Rebellion against God is worthy of eternal punishment, which is what selfishness is. If there was no way out of selfishness, all people would be eternally condemned due to their rebellion. While selfishness seems like a small deal, it is clearly not small in the eyes of God. 

Jesus Pays the Price

Finally, God sees the death of His Son as the only thing worthy of erasing the debt of selfishness. Apart from the sacrifice of Jesus, there would be no forgiveness of selfishness. Clearly, God’s view of selfishness is very serious. Only the infinite worth of Jesus is able to take away the eternal punishment of selfishness. Selfishness is very serious in the life of all people, and must be understood to be an evil thing. Selfishness is serious, and affects the relationship with oneself, others, and creation. Selfishness is worthy of eternal suffering, and the only thing worthy of erasing the debt of selfishness is the sacrifice of Jesus.

Where Do We Go From Here?

What a downer! As people, we will always have problems with selfishness, especially in the area of discipleship. It can be very discouraging when a person we have discipled for so long falls into a public, embarrassing sin. We can feel like it reflects on us. However, we can praise God that we have a covering for this. Jesus offers forgiveness, new purpose, and freedom from the embarrassment of both our past and the past of those we disciple.