LOVELESSNESS
The self-centered person does not have any real love for his fellowmen and this is the root cause of his hard attitude towards them. He may pretend to show much love, but lacks genuine Christ-like love. The elder son had never gone to his father even once in all those years, volunteering to go and search for his lost brother. He did not care whether his brother was dead or alive. All he was interested in was to make merry with his friends (Lk.15:29). So long as he himself was happy, it did not matter to him what happened to others.
Are we wrapped up in ourselves like that? What is our attitude to backsliders? It is easier to love an unbeliever than a backslider. But if we truly have the compassion of Christ, we shall love both. The younger son in this story is a picture of a backslider. It's easy to condemn him. It is even more difficult to love him and help him. The Bible says, "If a Christian is overcome by some sin, you ho are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path" (Gal.6:1). And again, "If you see a Christian sinning... you should ask God to forgive him and God will give him life" (1 John 5:16). Do we ever pray like that for those who have fallen? No. Why not? Because we are so centered in ourselves.
When we seek for a deeper life and a closer walk with God, let us never forget that a deeper life should make us more outgoing. God does not grant us a closer walk with Him merely for us to "make merry with our friends." It is so easy for us to get into our little holy huddles (with those who believe as we do) and to think of our enjoyment alone - all the time looking down on those who have not had our "deeper life experience". That is not the deeper life at all. That is self-centeredness under the guise of spirituality; and it is an abomination to God.
Let us not be deceived. If we are only interested in "making merry" (even though it be spiritual merry-making) with other members of our "spiritual clique", and are unable to fellowship with believers who do not see eye-to-eye with us, then we are indeed in a state of spiritual stagnation. The Bible says, "He who does not love his brother is abiding in death" (1 John 3:14). The word translated "love" in this verse is the Greek word "agapao", which means "to value, to feel a concern for, to be faithful to, and to delight in". And so this verse really means that if we do not value our brothers and sisters (even those in other denominations than our own) if we do not feel a concern for them, then, in spite of all our Bible knowledge and our spiritual experiences, we are in a state of spiritual death.
THE PRIMARY MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We may be young or old, holding any doctrine of "holiness", with any number of experiences and blessings to our credit, but self dies hard, I'll tell you that. We must know what it is to take up the cross daily and follow Jesus if we are to live in victory over self. There is no other way.
But let us remember in the meanwhile, that the Holy Spirit has come to help us put our self-centered life to death. The Bible says, "We naturally love to do things that are just the opposite to the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces (our self-life and the Holy Spirit) are constantly fighting each other to win control over us" (Gal.5:17)
In these days, particularly, when many Christians are confused about the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is good for us to bear in mind that He has come as a Helper to help us put to death the deeds of the flesh (the self-life). He does many other thing in and through us. Let us not despise any of them. But if we do not allow Him to put our self-life to death, then all our experiences are valueless.
The Bible says, "If you live after the flesh, you will die, but if you through the Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live - for as many as are led by the Spirit are the sons of God" (Rom.8:13,14).
In the parable in Luke 15, we notice that the father's love was the same for both his sons. He did not love the elder son any less than the younger. He came out of his house for both his sons. When his younger son came home, he went out of the house to welcome him, and when his elder son refused to come into the house, he went out to invite him in too. In fact he even tells him, "Son, you are ever with me and all that I have is yours." Do you see the largeness of God's heart even towards self-centered individuals? He loves us and wants to give us all that He has. But He has to deliver us from our self-centeredness first.
God does not love the harlot more than the self-righteous Pharisee. He loves both equally and He gave His Son to die for both. But the response in the hearts of the two may be different; and that is what makes the difference ultimately in the Father's house. The younger son who was once away from the father's house is now sitting at the table enjoying his father's riches. The elder son who had been inside all along is now outside. Truly, as the Lord said, many who are first now will be last in eternity, and many who are last here will be first there. It is only as we are willing to humble ourselves and acknowledge our corruption and respond whole heartedly to the Father's love, that we shall be able to feast with Him at His table.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, this is the final session on 'the Self-Centered person's Attitude". Hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I had the pleasure to share these words to you all.
The above portion has been an extract from the book "Beauty for Ashes" by Zac Poonen. Please provide me with your valuable comments. Also please keep this pitiful sinner in your prayers always.
Thanks
Your brother and friend in Christ always
Jobin
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