Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 17:08 Written by <a href='/index.php?option=com_community&view=profile&userid=76&Itemid=123'>ExperienceChurch</a> Monday, 11 January 2010 14:15
Does the Selfish Gene really exsit?
Yes the selfish gene is a part of our DNA as carnal fleshly creatures. It is destructive and the root of spiritual disease. As we can see in Galatians 5:19 that the works of the flesh all have an underlying motive – self (ishness)!
Galatians 5:19,The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (greek definitions of each characterist)
Every one of these works of the flesh is based upon self-gratification. Regardless of the collateral damage that takes place in other people’s lives. Selfish means: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others. To be selfish is a destructive nature since it only seeks its own benefit.
Galatians 6:77, Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Evolution and Darwinism would try to tell us that we should do what comes natural; to fulfill our desires and do what feels good since this stems from who are have evolved to be. This drives people into a moral relativism which means: there are no universal moral standards by which to judge others. It also teaches that we should tolerate the behavior of others even when it runs counter to our personal or cultural moral standards. This couldn’t be more opposed to the Kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:16,22, 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Can you see the difference between the heart of Christ verses the flesh of the world. This is the difference between selfishness and generosity. One powerful insight about generosity is that it is incompatible with obligation. We don’t have to be generous. We can keep it all to ourselves; our money, our time, our ways, our wants. No one is forcing anyone to do anything they don’t want to do. This is truly the heart of Christ.
George Barna research studies confirm that Christians are acting more and more like the rest of culture and there is little differences between believers and non-believers: from the books they read, to the issues they worry about, to how they use their money.3 The same is generally true in Christians’ giving and asking for resources. Scripture consistently reminds us that if Christ is not first in the use of our money, He is not first in our lives. Our use of possessions demonstrates materially our spiritual status (see “Spiritual and Material Matters Inextricable” in Craig Blomberg’s chapter). I believe our checkbooks are a better measure of our spiritual condition than all of the highlighting in our Bibles? After observing Christianity Mahatma Gandhi came to the same realization, that if all Christians was Christ like, the whole world would convert to Christianity. This should be a wake up call to how closely the world is watching us. (CONTINUED)
Take a look at these amazing statistics:
“The last fifty-plus years in American culture have been marked by increasing prosperity and wealth, with a corresponding increase in our obsession with “stuff.” Most often, it is hard to tell the difference between a believer and a non-believer by looking at how they view and use the things God has entrusted to them. While wealth among Christians has increased, generosity as a percentage of income has remained fairly static. In their annual report The State of Church Giving, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle explain, “Giving has not kept up with income . . . In 1933, the depth of the Great Depression, [per capita giving] was 3.2 percent. In 1995 . . . it was still 3 percent. By 2004, when Americans were over 555 percent richer after taxes and inflation than in the Great Depression,” From the book; CREATING A REVOLUTION IN GENEROSITY.
We are richer yet we are less generous than ever before. Let us put the death the selfish gene, let us crucify it on the cross so that we can take on the heart of Christ like never before. Taking on the character of Christ will cause our giving to shine like the noon day sun and be a light to all those who are looking for the authentic Christ.
Isaiah 58:6-11, 6I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! 7Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. 8Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. 9When you ask the LORD for help, he will answer, "Here I am!" Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them or say something cruel. 10Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless. Then your light will shine in the dark; your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun. 11The LORD will always guide you and provide good things to eat when you are in the desert. He will make you healthy. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water or like a stream that never runs dry.
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