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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Selfish or Self-interest? | Phil 1:23 | Lionstrong | 4529 | ||
1 Matt 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Matt 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. Matt 22:39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' Do not the above verses show that the Gospel appeals to self-interest, and that there is a place for self-interest? What's the difference between self-interest and selfishness? Was Paul's desire to be with the Lord out of selfishness or self-interest? Isn't saying Paul's desire was not in Christ the same as saying it was sinful? How can a desire that is out of Christ be right? And did Paul say that his service on earth for Christ was BETTER or necessary? Phil 1:24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And if it's a matter of serving the Lord, can the Lord be served on earth only? And what is the place of altruism in the Christian life? Thanks charis and Hank for your answers and comments. I'm not trying to be mean or smart, but the selflessness in your answers sound more Kantian than Christian. But I'm grateful for your responses. This is a real question for me; I did not ask my question to engage in an intellectual exercise, although I do enjoy the give and take in our discussions. |
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2 | Selfish or Self-interest? | Phil 1:23 | charis | 4536 | ||
Addendum: I did not clearly state that self-interest (awareness) is fine, but selfishness (self-focus) is sinful. Also, WTE posted while I was writing. In addition to RC Sproul, Francis Schaeffer writes of Christian philosophy very well. Blessings, dear Lionstrong, in Christ Jesus, charis |
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3 | Selfish or Self-interest? | Phil 1:23 | Lionstrong | 4637 | ||
I hope this quote better makes the point of self-interest, not self-awareness, charis. “[Biblical theism] provides adequate scope for self-interest. Far from denying the legitimacy of interested motivation, the doctrine of Christ constantly stresses rewards and punishments. The sermon on the mount repeatedly appeals to practical consequences: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you … for my sake … for great is your reward in heaven…. Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire…. It is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell…. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye…. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven…. And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly…. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” “It is obvious that Biblical theism appeals to self-interest. The gospel of Christ demands sacrifices of men, but it demands no ultimate sacrifice. Although in this world the Christian will suffer tribulation, although like Paul he may five times receive forty stripes save one, be thrice beaten with rods, be once stoned, suffer shipwreck, be in perils, in weariness, in hunger and thirst, still “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” In this sense Christianity is definitely egoistic. Not only will those who meet God’s requirements be rewarded with joys unspeakable, but also a conscious desire for those rewards is legitimate motivation. “With this assertion of egoism it should be noted also that Biblical theism does not approve of selfishness as the term is used in ordinary speech.... But as a matter of fact Biblical theism does not teach selfishness. Documentation is almost superfluous. One could trace the matter from Abraham who gave Lot the first choice of pasture land; through Moses who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; through Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and many other unknown saints of whom the world was not worthy; on to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. No doubt the Church contains hypocrites; no doubt also many, yes, all sincere Christians fail to live consistently by their principles; but it is exceedingly strange to charge Christianity with inculcating selfishness.” I will not identify my source so you can deal with what he wrote rather than with him. Thank you all for the feedback. Lionstrong |
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4 | Selfish or Self-interest? | Phil 1:23 | charis | 4724 | ||
Dear Lionstrong, I am at a loss. Perhaps it is just my inability to comprehend, but doesn't the above (mysterious, anonymous, scholarly, verbose? :-) quotation kind of make the same point I made? I stated that self-interest (akin to self-awareness in Christ) was fine, but selfishness (self-focus) was sinful. I have said that I am not altruistic, and am aware of self-interest, but desire to put away selfishness. In any case, this part of the discussion is way over my head. As to whether it is better to stay here or go to heaven, the question is moot. We have no choice in the matter, unless we choose to end our life. (it would be hard to state a case for God causing us to commit suicide) So, Paul was being neither, but stating a hypothetical for the sake of encouraging the saints and explaining why he would 'go on.' Deeper than that is out of my league. Question: will you tell me someday who wrote the above? Finally, what do you think about our inability to pursue the Great Commission in heaven? Doesn't this give us incentive to want to stay here and serve Jesus? Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
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