As we consider the memorial table, each of us is reminded of the means of our salvation. We acknowledge what has been accomplished for us through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We see, as well, a powerful exhortation to selfless service to God. Christ’s ability to submit to God’s will and put his own will aside was the key to his ultimate exaltation to the right hand of the Father.
Selfless service is also the key to our own exaltation. In everything we do in our lives as disciples of Christ, we are to be selfless. This is a Biblical fact, easy to say, but very hard to do.
Our society makes it harder
Aside from our own individual weakness of the flesh, our task is made harder by the prevalent attitude in our society. The whole thrust of the American way has become not the good of the family or the community or the nation, but of “me.” Often people with problems are advised to, “Do what strengthens your personal identity.”
The attitude has evolved into a kind of “me first madness.” As a trend in our society, this kind of thinking probably began in the 1960’s and 70’s. This generation of people were changing their views on many of society’s traditional values. More than ever before, it was a generation concerned with personal pursuits and self gratification.
Today, the problem has worsened so that many of the “me generation” views have become the accepted norm.
Impact on the family
A noticeable effect of the new views has been changes in the family unit. The traditional roles played by mother and father have been all but lost as parents pursue personal goals to the detriment of their children.
For example, having children spend their early years in the loving care of their mothers is rapidly becoming a historical curiosity. Outside daycare during a child’s early years cannot provide the environment that a growing child needs. Without the natural affection normally provided by mother, the implementation of necessary discipline and the teaching of scriptural love will be omitted from a child’s experience. “Without natural affection” is a condition typical of the last days and we can see how the pattern of surrogate childcare around us contributes to that problem.
The changing views about discipline is another area where we need to beware. God has given us principles to follow in this regard and we should be sure to look to His word first for direction in this vital aspect of parental responsibility. The maxim is to be in the world but not “of the world.”
Right examples
Josiah reigned as king in Judah just before God began His final series of judgments on the nation. Josiah was able to identify the “me first madness” of his day. And against all odds, he worked to bring reform to Judah.
Even though God’s assessment of the effect of the reforms on the heart of the people was not good, Josiah continued his efforts. Knowing God’s way, he chose to follow it in spite of the people. Not only did he serve God himself, but he also made the people follow right religious practices all the days of his reign. His place among the few truly upright kings of Judah is for good reason. It was the result of his devoted service to God.
The apostle Paul is another outstanding example. In spite of chronic violent opposition from fellow Jews, Paul persisted in spreading the gospel among the Gentiles. Time after time he was assaulted both physically and verbally, but he would not stop.
In both of these cases, Josiah and Paul had no place for a philosophy like the me first madness. On the contrary, they worked to fight against selfish human opposition by embracing God’s way in their lives. Just like us, they knew they were responsible to serve God, doing His will and not their own.
Put off, put on
The exhortation of Colossians 3 reinforces this point. Here Paul details three aspects of the life of a disciple in Christ.
First he says, “If ye then be risen with Christ…ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:1,3) What constitutes a disciple as such is that he is no longer hopelessly enslaved by sin and death; that relationship is provisionally gone.
Second, the apostle goes on to describe several attributes of this old life which must be put off. (vs. 5-9)
Finally, he lists those attributes which we must be sure to practice. (vs. 12-23)
As the chapter closes, he reminds them that they stand to receive “the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (v. 24) The word “serve” summarizes the spirit of the whole chapter. It carries with it by definition the idea of serving as a slave would serve, always giving way to the will of the master. There is no room for any relationship to a “me first madness.”
To our own advantage
Sometimes the reality escapes us but the reward of unselfish conduct is far greater than anything we could receive today by our own efforts. Yet, so often we find ourselves having to fight against the impulse of selfish actions.
We have to strive like Josiah and Paul to put down our innate selfishness. If we work at it, with God’s help, we can do it just as those men did in their lives. From their examples, it is clear that it takes effort and sacrifice but God requires such of us if we are to be in the kingdom.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One