"Who Centered?"

"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." 2 Corinthians 5:15

Yesterday we were discussing one of the reasons we see so much turmoil in our world is because of selfishness. People want what they want, when they want it, regardless of how it effects anyone else. People lie, steal, cheat, abuse and mistreat others in order to have their own way. Children rebel because they want their way. Divorce happens, in most cases, because of selfishness- their spouse isn't giving them what they want, isn't meeting their expectations, isn't allowing them the freedom to do their own thing, they are tired of being married or they want to have someone else. Lawlessness is on the rise because of people's wants. We hear about murders on the news that have happened because the perpetrator wasn't getting their way- someone took their seat, someone wouldn't let them dominate them, etc. Government leaders do the same thing. They pass laws that they want. I think you're getting the picture.

I brought this up because sadly many Christians are guilty of the same thing. By nature, our fallen nature, we are selfish and self-centered at heart. Our flesh wants its way about everything. But when we come to Christ we become a new man, old things passed away. It is now Christ's nature that is alive in us- which is not selfish but selfless.

We are no longer to follow after our own selfish desires but we are to follow Jesus and His example. He don't live to ourselves- to what we want, to what we desire, to what makes us happy. We live now to follow Him, to make Him happy, to seek to do those things that please Him. We are to live a God-centered instead of a self-centered life.

How do we do that? By realizing that we don't belong to ourselves, therefore, we should be living to please the One we do belong to. Also, we have to remember that it is a daily battle with our flesh that we have to engage in in order to keep from being self-centered, wanting our own way. Paul said that he did battle with his flesh to keep it from ruling him. The Bible also tells us to crucify our flesh- our selfish desires- and put them to death before they have a chance to lead us into selfish acts.

The bottom line is that it is not about ME- what I want, what I desire, having my own way. It's about what Christ wants, what He desires, how I can serve Him, what I must do to give Him what He wants.

Have a great day. Are you living a self-centered life, or a Christ-centered life?

For further reading:
Galatians 2:20
1 Corinthians 9:27
2 Corinthians 5:17
Colossians 3:5,6
Romans 8:10-13