Hello Friends,
Here is another blog on what God has been teaching me on what love is.
Love is Not Self-Seeking.
Self-seeking: Selfish
You know, being self-seeking can be hard not to do. We naturally want to look out for ourselves. Look out for number 1, etc. However, we are to look out for others, help them out if they need it. Granted we need to be careful and wise in how we spend our time and money and help people. Helping others should still be a priority.
1 Corinthians 10:24 "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."
Again, as I have written in previous blogs, we should look to build people up, not tear them down. It does not matter if you agree with them or not on various things. If you disagree on politics, sport teams to cheer for or whatever, still be kind and look to build him or her up and look out for their good.
These days, it is so sad to see people seeking out to hurt others, just because they share a different view on politics or life in general. Christ calls us to love one another. We need to love, pray for, and bless those who hurt or are mean to us.
Galatians speaks of being self-seeking as not a good trait. Galatians 5:19,20 "The acts of sinful nature are obvious... idolatry, and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factious..."
You also see it described as a negative trait in James.
James 3:14-18 "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Then in Proverbs 18:1 " An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgement."
Its interesting that self-seeking person is described as "unfriendly." Looking out for only you can damage relationships and push people away. We have all done it at some point or another. Anyone reading this and I have done that in our friendship, I am sorry. I have certainly have hurt some friendships in this manner.
I need to put others first before me, more often. We make mistakes everyday. We have grace and forgiveness in Christ, which is great. We do still need to apologize when we do slip up.
Seeking the good of others can actually help you have more people around you, who want to be around you, seeking their good can help them feel good and help them grow, as it can do the same for you. Its a matter of your intentions and having good ones.
Christ, in looking out for our good, died for us on the cross and paid our debt. Now we spend a glorious eternity with him in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:15 " And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again."
Philippians 2:2-4 "...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in the spirit and purpose: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves: Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
So, its fine to look to your own interests for sure, try to help others out with theirs too. Also, when consider others better than you, that means, look to their needs. If they ask for help, try to find an opportunity to help out, even it means missing out on a Saturday football game or something like that. Look to help out others more than yourself. So it does not mean you have to go around believing that you are no good and everyone is better than you. Have confidence in who you are and your abilities and interests, be happy with who you are you, you are special and awesome!
Here is another good verse:
Romans 15:1-2 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (or her)
Build others up. You don't have to butter them up, just look to encourage and help. Do it in a loving manner and with good intentions. Helping someone to get something out of it, can be self-seeking. Now if you are doing work, knowing they are paying you and they have told you they would pay you, that is a little different, but still cautious of your intentions.
Be encouraged that we all struggle and mess up. We all have moments of self-seeking times. I certainly do. Our hope is in Christ and his love and mercy for us each day. Continue to fight on in this race as Paul described it.
