So, in my post entitled "The Prejean Debacle", I wrote something that has really stuck with me the last couple of days. I said, "Human nature is all about self-preservation... but, I wonder when will we accept the eternal nature of self-sacrifice."
I know; you're thinking, "wow, that guy is such a philosopher." It's okay; it's okay. Take a moment, breathe in. HaHa!
Honestly, though, it seems that I continually see how we humans are always fighting for self-preservation. We want to secure our portion, our monies, our future, etc. We are always looking to "save face", as they say.
Sure, it can be argued that self-preservation is merely our human nature. It's our survival mechanism. It's our way of prolonging the species (thank you, Mr. Darwin).
However, the Law of Self-Preservation is completely at odds with the Biblical Law of Self-Sacrifice. Jesus continually tells us that we must lose our lives to gain eternal life. The writers of the New Testament forewarn us time and again how we must be hated, cursed, abused, beaten, and maybe even martryred for the will of Heaven and the furtherance of the Gospel.
The Bible instructs us that, in order to follow Christ, we must go against everything that "human nature" and the Law of Self-Preservation stands for. We must be willing to die... (and that may be an actual physical death, but it could just be a proverbial death as well).
Look at Stephen, the first martyr. I'm sure that Stephen wanted to protect himself, but he didn't. He endured the stones unto death because he found the error in self-preservation and lived, instead, by the higher law - the Law of Self-Sacrifice. Paul too. Peter also. Countless martyrs of the Faith lived AND DIED by the Law of Self-Sacrifice.
Maybe, though, it's easier to die in self-sacrifice than to live in it. Maybe, we could stand for something if our lives were truly on the line, but perhaps the Law of Self-Sacrifice doesn't apply to our reputations, our egos, our way of life...
- What if we lived as "walking martyrs" before the World?
- What if we were the first to say we're wrong, the first to live transparently, the first to admit our mistakes?
- What if we lived not for the Law of Self-Preservation but for the Law of Self-Sacrifice?
Wouldn't it be incredible if we could deny our human nature and embrace our eternal nature?
God, grant me the grace to humbly deny myself, take up my cross and follow you so that I too may say, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
You're just too philosophical for me.
ReplyDeleteActually, I love this post. Goes hand-in-hand with the sermon I listened to online today about living the mission of Christ. If we are to live as Christ lived then we must LIVE self-sacrificially. We must humble ourselves and put the needs of others before us. We must love, show mercy, offer forgiveness even when we don't want to. As Christians, that is the essence of our mission.
btw- you're making me look bad with all he smarty-pants posts. I can't wait for Lex to arrive so you too will be writing about spit-up and diaper blow-outs!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Growing up I remember being in awe of the martyrs in the Bible and the admiration I had for them and what they represented. Having stated my respect and appreciation for the role martyrs have played in our faith originally my thoughts were turned toward death. The obvious truth is that if one were willing to die for something they have already died to themselves. We must first become a living martyr first, which is where live really begins. Wow we really need a cultural change!!
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