My Sunday Skl

Hello.

It’s been a while.

A long while.

But after some talking with God, and after finally putting myself to the side, and choosing to truly follow God’s instructions, here I am writing again.

I missed it. But I don’t know what is was that was stopping me from getting back on here.

Anyways, I’m not here to talk about me and where I’ve been, so let’s get into things.

I was reading my devotional the other day, making notes as I do, and I thought I would share some of the things I found.

Also, it wouldn’t be astudentoftheword.com if it was just me.

So…

Ready?

Let’s start.

But first…Let’s have a title.

A title.

Okay.

What about Me? – The Last days and tackling Selfishness.

Okay. I like that.

The main verse was 1 Corinthians 10:33 which says,

I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved.

Or there is the NIV which says:

even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

I want you to keep that verse in mind as we introduce another couple:

2 Timothy 3:1-5

3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

So let’s unpack this.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.”

The interesting thing is that you read this, and immediately expect Paul to talk about bad events. We expect Paul to detail bad things which we will happen. But He doesn’t. He immediately goes on to talk about people.

Do you know what will characterise and define the last days and terrible times?

Terrible people.

Calvin says something about this:

“We should note what the hardness or danger of this time is in Paul’s view to be, not war, not famine or diseases, nor any of the other calamities or ills that befall the body, but the wicked and depraved ways of men…”

So let’s pause here.

Let’s look around.

If we look at ourselves now, how long would it take for us to feel as if we are in those last days.

If I were to be completely honest.

If I were to tell the truth.

I read those verses and I can pick parts which apply to me.

If we were completely honest, we could find areas of our lives which apply to each and every single thing mentioned in those verses.

There are definitely times where I am without self-control.

Times where I am rash.

Times where I am a lover of pleasure rather than a lover of God.

Times I put myself first.

I think about what I want to do.

I think about what I will enjoy.

Too many times I have prioritised pleasure over purpose.

Pleasure over purpose.

Dangerous.

And I don’t know anyone who hasn’t fallen into the trap of being a lover of themselves.

We live in very selfish times. The world tells us to focus on ourselves.

To look after #1.

Before moving on…

Just a question.

If Paul thought the Rapture would happen in his lifetime, and it didn’t—and if men of God throughout the ages have felt as though they were living in the last days and the Rapture would happen in their lifetimes, and it didn’t—doesn’t it seem foolish to think the Rapture will happen in your lifetime?’

Not at all.

Throughout the history of the Church, the greatest men and women of the faith have all lived their lives believing that the Lord’s coming was nigh.

And even though the Lord didn’t come when they thought He would, looking for His return impacted their lives in such a way that they left their mark on history and will be rewarded greatly in eternity (II Timothy 4:8).

I believe we should choose to live our lives looking for the Lord’s coming.

But what if He doesn’t?

So, if I am wrong, if He doesn’t come back for another 500 years, I would rather go through the days I have left looking for the sudden appearing of Jesus Christ because I know the effect it has upon the life of any man or woman who believes He could come today: one’s heart does not get troubled as easily; one is not prone to sin so readily.

And look, I am not gonna act like it is easy. Thinking about Jesus coming all the time. That’s tough.

But I do believe it when we say if you want to live a zealous, exciting, fulfilling, pure Christian life, live it looking for the Lord’s coming.

Cool.

Cool.

So let’s talk about the selfish and unselfish stuff.

Yep.

It is hard already to be unselfish with narratives put out by the world and phrases like, “pay yourself first.”

It is easy to look at ourselves first rather than seeking the kingdom.

Even when seeking the kingdom are we doing it with the right heart and posture.

So how do we deal with that?

The devotional gave us 3 tips:

‘Continue following the teachings you learned’

“14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it” ( 2 Timothy 3:14)

We should try to keep focused on God by spending time with Him every day and regularly reading His Word. As we grow our relationship with Him, we’ll be more sensitive to His guidance, and more aware of His gentle correction if we stray towards selfishness.

We should be willing to say yes to God when He asks us to meet someone else’s need.

“as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33)

Paul wrote: ‘I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved.’

Our generosity can point people towards God’s love, as well as blessing them in that moment.

Find a mentor.

“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

A mentor can help us identify when we’re slipping towards selfishness and support us in getting back on God’s path.

Here we are. 3 tips.

But here is a bonus one.

Well it isn’t really a tip.

True. It’s a quote on selfish prayers.

“Prayer is not telling God what we want and then selfishly enjoying it. Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what He wants so that His name is glorified, His Kingdom extended and strengthened, and His will is done. I must test all of my personal requests by these overruling concerns if I expect God to hear and answer my prayers.”

And I will end with this:

each considering not the things of themselves, but each also the things of others. (Philippians 2:4)

It’s good to be back.

Stay safe.

Stay blessed.

Show some love.

And make an impact.

God Bless.