Tuesday, March 12, 2024 5:14:54 AM

A friend told me I should be selfish and I thought about it, for a few minutes. No, I can’t be selfish because I am a Christian. My friend is a loyal Democrat who identifies as a Liberal. I told my friend: I like me but I am a giver which means I cannot be selfish. I pondered what she, my friend, said for a while and added those thoughts to the thoughts I have been having about loyal Democrats, loyal Black Democrats in particular.
I don’t think it is coincidental that I was reading the book of Exodus as I pondered this concept and I heard a message in which the Pastor spoke on Christians experiencing tribulation.

Mark 8:34 (KJV)
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

In the book of Exodus the commandments of God are introduced, Matthew, Mark and Luke quote our Lord, at least my Lord and Savior, telling His followers to take up their cross. Christians, and Jews, cannot be selfish and true to their faith. God is our priority.

Exodus 20:1-7 (KJV)
1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Jesus says we are to take up our cross, use our gifts to help others not bless ourselves. Selfish people cannot do this, they cannot sacrifice their time or money to do something for someone if there is no personal benefit.
God is number one but not if you are selfish. Selfish people are their own number one. Have you ever heard someone say: “I know I shouldn’t but God knows my heart.”

Dear Christian: either Jesus is your Lord AND Savior which means you do those things that please Him or your father is the Devil. Christians, followers of Jesus the Son of God, cannot be selfish.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

There are far to many people who will justify the behavior of a liberal, including some church leaders; they will lie. This is why it is important for you to read God’s Word and not man’s reinterpretation of His word. Politicians lie, news personalities lie, church leaders lie, and people you know and are related to you will lie.

Numbers 23:19 (KJV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Hebrews 6:18 (KJV)
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

If you are following God the Son then you cannot be selfish. If you have time to satisfy self then you are not submitted to God’s Word, Jesus is the Word. We are Ambassadors of Christ (2Corinthians 5:20) not earthly Queens and Kings trying to get stuff and recognition.

Proverbs 15:33 (KJV)
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

To fear God there needs to be an understanding and appreciation of who He is, there is no relationship. Selfish people self justify, they give themselves the “right” to do what God says not to do. I cannot be selfish because I know what God has done for me, my fear of not pleasing Him is greater than my need for stuff and because of this He gives me the desires of my heart.

Written by Marsha L Floyd
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