One of the saddest warnings ever written to the church came from the Apostle Paul as he penned his final letter to young Timothy. Paul was not merely describing the wickedness of the pagan world. He was warning Timothy about the spirit that would creep into those who professed the name of Christ.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves..."
—2 Timothy 3:1-2 (KJV)
Notice the first sin Paul mentions. He did not begin with murder, drunkenness, or immorality. He began with self-love.
The spirit of "me first."
That spirit has become one of the greatest dangers facing the modern church.
Many church services today are designed around making people feel comfortable, entertained, and personally fulfilled. Sermons often focus almost entirely on how God can bless us, prosper us, solve our problems, and make us happier. While God certainly cares about His children, the central message of Christianity has never been about exalting the self. It has always been about exalting Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist understood this when he declared,
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
—John 3:30 (KJV)
Somewhere along the journey, many believers have reversed that order.
Today, Christ is expected to increase our comfort while we increase ourselves.
The Missing Cross
Jesus never invited men to build a comfortable life around themselves.
He said,
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
—Luke 9:23 (KJV)
Notice the first command.
Deny yourself.
Yet we live in an age that teaches us to satisfy ourselves, promote ourselves, defend ourselves, and place ourselves first.
That philosophy has quietly entered many churches.
Whatever Happened to Bearing One Another's Burdens?
The early church was known for its love.
When one believer suffered, everyone felt the pain.
When one rejoiced, everyone celebrated.
Paul wrote,
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
—Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
Today, many believers barely know the names of those sitting across the aisle.
It is possible to worship in the same building for years and never truly know the struggles, tears, or victories of the people beside us.
The family of God has become, in many places, a gathering of individuals instead of a fellowship of burden-bearers.
Love Has Grown Cold
Jesus warned that one of the signs preceding His return would be a decline in genuine love.
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
—Matthew 24:12 (KJV)
Cold love is not always open hatred.
Sometimes it is simply indifference.
It is walking past hurting people without noticing.
It is hearing prayer requests without praying.
We are more concerned about our own comfort than someone else's suffering.
The Church Is Called to Be Different
The world teaches us to look out for ourselves.
Christ teaches us to look after others.
Jesus said,
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
—John 13:35 (KJV)
The mark of a true disciple is not found in a church building, a denomination, or even knowledge of doctrine.
It is found in genuine Christlike love.
Love that forgives.
Love that serves.
Love that sacrifices.
Love that bears burdens.
Love that refuses to make everything about self.
A Time for Self-Examination
Rather than asking what is wrong with the world, perhaps we should ask what is happening inside the church.
Have we become consumers instead of servants?
Have we become spectators instead of workers?
Have we become more interested in receiving than giving?
Have we become more concerned about our preferences than God's glory?
These are questions every believer should honestly ask.
Paul reminded the church,
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
—Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV)
That sounds very different from the spirit of our age.
A Country Preacher's Final Thought
I have lived long enough to remember when church members carried casseroles to grieving families, spent nights praying for the sick, visited shut-ins, and wept over lost souls. They did not ask, "What am I getting out of church?" They asked, "How can I encourage someone today?"
The church is at its strongest when Christ is at the center, and the self is on the cross.
Perhaps the greatest revival our churches need today is not bigger buildings, better music, or more programs.
Perhaps we need to fall in love with Jesus again.
When Christ is exalted, the self is humbled.
When the self is humbled, burdens are shared.
When burdens are shared, love flourishes.
And when love flourishes, the world once again sees Jesus living through His people.
May God help us to be known not for how well we serve ourselves, but for how faithfully we love one another for the glory of our Savior.
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