The Power of Self-LESS-ness!

The Power of SELF-LESS-NESS

“…We then that are strong aught to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification….” Romans 15:1-2

 We are living in a world that has become increasingly selfish. It seems that everything we do is ALL about the “individual.” We grow up with a “me” first disposition, and allow this disposition to transcend almost everything we do. Many are already aware that the divorce rate in the Christian community has sky-rocketed to an all-time high, why? Selfishness!

Selfishness is seen in children as they play with their toys. They grow up saying “this is mine – not yours.” Even in the church, people allow themselves to drift into a vacuum of selfishness. Many Christians take on their work in the Church with a selfish attitude. They’ll say, “this is my ministry”, and poke their chest out with utter pride. Ministry efforts, as a result, become the center-piece of their Christian experience instead of Christ Himself! Even Church membership is a selfish act. Many people seek out Churches with the inward quest: What can this church do for me, not what can I add to this Church to help it become more productive.

Our text allows us to see the opposite of selfishness in its true form: SELFLESSNESS! The first thing we see here is the strength of the Christian experience being found within responsibility we have towards other people. “…we then that are strong aught to bear the infirmities of the weak….” The word “STRONG” here is the Greek word, Dunatos (doo-nat-os), which is the adjective form of its parent root: Dunamai (doo-na-my), which is where we get the English word “Dynamite.” Dunatos is more than merely having might or ability, but to have changing influence within the soul (our self-consciousness). In other words, this “strength” is to have the kind of INWARD power as to maintain control over yourself.

The text continues to help us with a directive: “bear the infirmities of the weak.” First, we should already know that in order to do this, we MUST FIRST have strength for ourselves. Ten, we can have strength to help other people. The problem is that many WEAK people are trying to help WEAK people – they have NO inward control, but seek to offer their “deceptive strengths” to other people. To BEAR infirmities here is very significant as well. The Greek word Bastazo (bas-tad-zo) is literally the willingness to take on something as your own – to take something away from another person that they will NEVER see again.  

While this lesson is short, it begs a few serious questions: Does the strength of your life (if you believe you have strength) directed and lived out within the realm of reaching other people? Is your Christian experience that which is ONLY gratifying to you? What happens to others around you after you leave Church on Sunday morning – having heard a “great” sermon?

“…For even Christ pleased not Himself; but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me….” Romans 15:3

 Grace & Peace,

Roc