Selfishness is Sin, But Grace Gives Life :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 18 & 19}

I struggle with selfishness.

I often think my way is the best way, and many times I just want what I want.

I am sometimes less than happy for the success of others, because I wish it was mine.

And when I’m hurt by someone, it’s tempting to wish they were hurting too.

But this is all wrong. This is not what Jesus wants for me.

Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

 

Jesus want me to die to my self.

He wants me to get rid of my desire for personal revenge or retaliation.

He wants me to refuse to constantly focus on my wants and desires.

He wants me to go out of my way to serve others and give to those whose needs I can meet.

Willingly. He wants me to die to self willingly.

“We should not be concerned about personal injuries and insults, whether of a physical kind or any other…Our Lord desires to produce in us a spirit that does not take offense easily at such things, that does not seek immediate means of retaliation. He wants us to reach a state in which we are indifferent to self and self-esteem.”

“The most difficult thing is for a man to die to himself, to his own approval or censure of self … but the Christian must reach the stage in which He surmounts even this and realizes that He must not be controlled by it.”

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Selfishness is sin. It controls us. It clouds our perspective and strangles our joy. Because when I choose selfishness, I elevate my own way and set myself up to be my own god.

“Any desire to glorify self or safeguard the interests of self is of necessity sin, because I am looking at myself instead of looking at God and seeking His honor and glory … holiness eventually means this, deliverance from this self-centered life… “

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

And Jesus modeled this. He came and lived a selfless life. He humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross. And He asks me to follow Him in this attitude of humility.

“He has died for our sins, and our greatest desire should be to die to self…”

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Selfishness is sin, but Grace gives Life.

When I am personally “slapped on the cheek”, I am to give grace.

Instead of keeping what’s mine, I’m to give. Whether it’s my things, my time, or my smile–anything to go above and beyond and out of my way to serve another.

And instead of focusing on what I don’t have, I’m to look beyond myself to someone else … someone whose needs I can practically meet.

I’m to lay down my pride, lay down my self, and give Grace … Unmerited favor to others. This is the goal.

And it’s impossible for me to do it in my own power. I need the power of the Holy Spirit working in me, to truly die to my own selfish self.

But when I do, and give grace instead, that grace really does give life.

Do you struggle with selfishness?

Is it hard for you to give grace?

How did giving grace infuse life into your situation?

Continuing on in memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, with Ann and this community. Join us?

This week and next, on to Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)…

{WEEK 20}

 

Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)

“You have heard that it was said,  ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you,  Love your enemies and  pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

y h h t i w s y s l y n a h y e b i s t y l y e a p f t w p y s t y m b s o y f w i i h f h m h s r o t e a o t g a s r o t j a o t u f i y l o t w l y w r d y h d n e t t c d t s a i y g o y b w m a y d t o d n e t g d t s y t m b p j a y h f i p

 

*Linking with The Better Mom, Do Not Depart, Women Living Well

Related posts:

When You Long to Be Satisfied and Supremely Happy :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 3} For When You Encounter Prickly People :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 11} Moments and Chances for Grace-Giving