Although I believe it's true, it's always blown my mind (insert Eve and Gwen Stefani song) that Christians are supposed to die to themselves. In other words, we are supposed to think about our wives, husbands, kids, friends, enemies, the lady you just passed on the street, and even Bono, but not so much about ourselves. Sure, this can be taken overboard to where people push themselves until they have a nervous breakdown, but even then I think that's often about how much I have to do because I'm so important.
In reading Colossians today (and I have to admit that I was reading it this morning because I hadn't read the Bible other than to teach in so long that the Holy Spirit was literally making my heart long for God (which is sweet that the HS did that, but not sweet that it got to that point)) I came across a verse I have never really heard before and gave me added perspective on this whole area of selfishness. "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:3-4
It's like I gave my life to Jesus to take with him to somewhere really far away, like Bippus (and Indiana referece to the town that went big-time when I was in high school and got a flashing light at their intersection), so if I trust Jesus to bring it back then I don't need to worry about my life, it's with him. So if I'm not worrying about my life (so worry is a poor word choice as I am currently residing in Bibleland, but you get the point) then I might as well focus on others. My life's okay, it's with Jesus, and someday soon he's coming back with it from Bippus and we'll enjoy life together. But for now there are thousands of people who need to be loved, served, and smiled at who I haven't given the time of day, or hug for that matter, so I guess I should get to it. And for all of us who's lives are in Bippus, I guess we all should get to it.
2 comments:
It's interesting that you speak of this, because on Thursday in Bible Study Teaching, I mean Teaching Practicum, a guy taught on when Jesus said to turn the other cheek in Matthew. He started talking about Jesus saying we are not supposed to be a doormat. I get super-annoyed when people say that. Why are we not supposed to be a doormat, other than we don't like it. Jesus message constantly subverted what we think makes sense. Not being a doormat boils down to claiming your own rights. That does strike me as having died to yourself. This is delicate, because it's never my place to tell someone that they need to die to themselves, but it is something to work on personally. I hope I haven't hijacked this conversation, but this seems to be related.
Sorry for all the mistakes. I feel crappy (literally) and I didn't feel like proofreading. The most important correction is I meant to say, "That doesn't strike me as dying to yourself." Also, I'm not alone here. The other Bib Studies students in the class brought up the shallow exegesis (his one source was MacArthur's commentary) going on. And everyone was very kind about it, so don't think i'm a jerk.
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