The Rhythm of “Self” . . .

The countless books, sermons, seminars, newsletters, and blogs offered on self-improvement are unending: three steps, four points, five keys, seven habits, etc., until we’re zany. We buy the books, listen to sermons, and attend the seminars of authors, consultants, lecturers, and entertainers, not because of their academic credentials, but because they have projected the image for which we are looking. In our churches, for example, many messages are about how we need to improve or what we need to do. What happened to Jesus?

Without realizing it, we, as individuals and a nation, are absorbed with worshipping the “god of me.”  We attend churches that have entered a new dominion of becoming a “pop psychology” gathering place – social and ethnic assemblies trying to entertain or improve people’s lives who are engaged and absorbed in self-interest – a body with little or no influence on a society in which we live. 

We embrace self-improvement.  Paul states in Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   As Pastor Ron Phllips of Abba’s House says, “We can’t improve what needs to be taken to the Cross.” – in other words, Paul says, you can’t do anything to the flesh, but kill it.

Self always wants to take the credit.  As long as we can salve our conscience, anesthetize our guilt to feel better about ourselves and do better than we’ve been doing, in the energy of our own flesh, we’ll continue to be a fearful, suspicious, and obsessed people who are on prescription meds to cope, who are unable or unwilling to forgive, who cannot receive His peace and/or be healed – instead of being free to live the destiny God has planned for us.  

Gifts are given – fruit is developed!  Growing [developing, maturing], doesn’t happen in five easy steps.  If it’s forced or pressured, it can become distorted — then, a self-improvment strategy becomes attractive.  God is faithful to bring about exact situations in which we need to develop and grow.  Count on it!   Philippians 2:13 – For, it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.

We don’t need to improve – we need to repent [change our mind] and be converted – then, and only then, can a transformation take place. 

 When we reign in life through Christ Jesus … our flesh and the devil doesn’t.

 Romans 5:17