Self-centered

The Will of Man

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Those who abuse the will of man by being self-willed are counted among the unjust (2 Peter 2:4-11).  Such persons are unyielding, persistent, and exaggerate one’s own worth in an overbearing manner.  They adhere to a course in spite of reason, argument, or persuasion, and are commanding and domineering.  They easily violate biblical regulations concerning judgmental pursuits (Rom. 14) and may threaten others in pursuit of fulfilling self-will.  Listed below are some of the potential effects of being self-willed.

 

  1. Personal relationships may be strained if not damaged.
  2. Others may be encouraged to be unyielding toward such a person.
  3. Others may be encouraged to retaliate against another.
  4. Personal influence may become more limited.
  5. One may become a law-breaker in other matters.
  6. Respect from others may be lost.
  7. Peace may be threatened in the home and in the church.
  8. Potential progress in various contexts may be impaired.
  9. Christian cooperation and fellowship may be challenged.
  10. Genuine spiritual growth in others may be impaired.
  11. The leadership of a congregation may be undermined.
  12. One is disqualified from serving as an elder in the church.
  13. One may tear down the progress of another.
  14. A congregation may be misdirected.
  15. A congregation may develop competing factions.
  16. The Christian spirit of God’s people may be quieted.
  17. Dreams and visions may be destroyed.
  18. One may be viewed more so as a radical rather than sensible.
  19. The future of a congregation may be radically affected.
  20. One may lose his soul.

 

In view of the potential devastation that may result from the free exercise of self-will, may each of us be gently guided away from such an attitude and be guided more toward a cooperative spirit as we labor together in the context of Christian fellowship.

“God Wants Me to Be Happy”

Posted on by Bob Mathews

There is something within the human heart that longs for personal happiness. Our American forefathers were searching for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” We want to smile, laugh, and have a good time. When others ask us how we are doing, we want to honestly say, “I’m doing great!”

Personal happiness is not wrong when placed in the proper context. As the wise man Solomon searched for the meaning of life, he did not rule out the importance of happiness: “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God” (Eccles. 5:19).

God is the Giver of all good gifts which bring us joy (James 1:17). The apostle Paul proclaimed God’s goodness to the people of Lystra: “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts14:17). Our trust and praise should be directed toward God, “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim. 6:17).

“God wants me to be happy” is a common statement made today by people who are wanting to excuse themselves from obeying the commands of God. However, is personal happiness our chief objective in life? The answer to this question is an emphatic “No!” If we seek only to make ourselves happy in the here and now, we will miss out on eternal joy. Self-centeredness makes us enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:17-21). Christ challenges us to lose our lives so that we can find true life. Personal happiness should never displace personal holiness, for “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

Jesus is the ultimate example of one who put aside self to please the Father and serve others. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus did not excuse himself form obeying the will of God. He sacrificed temporary happiness for holiness. His choices were made with eternal joy in mind. Let us have the attitude of Christ!

God does want you to be happy, but He also wants you to know exactly what true happiness is and where it comes from. It is not found in the things of this world that will disappear, but in God through Christ who are eternal. Don’t cast aside God or His opinions (teachings). Take them to heart if you want true happiness.