Real Victory: A Self Examination

I've been thinking and writing quite a bit lately about one of Jesus' key topics: the radical importance of dying to self. That focus has had me prayerfully re-examining my own life. I've been asking the Lord to reveal hidden motives in my own heart. 

Frankly, I've been stunned at the deep levels of self-focus and self-interest He's pointed out. Maybe the worst part is that I've been justifying it, making it seem so reasonable.

I've consistently cut myself slack I wouldn't give to others. Why is it I can so often see other's faults as if magnified through a microscope while seeing my own as if through the wrong end of a telescope?

When it comes to seeing my own faults, my car's rear view mirror has been trying for years to tell me something: objects are much closer than they appear. I think that sharing this falls under the meaning of James 5:16 (NIV):

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

So let's pray, not only for ourselves, but also for one another. I want to get off of the self-interest / self-indulgence carousel.

Stopping that pattern also makes me think of Proverbs 26:11 (NKJV):

As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

In His patient mercy and enduring grace, may He transform all vestiges of human selfishness into Christ-like selflessness.

I share all of this now, head bowed, wondering if it also speaks to your heart.

Jesus' strong injunctions against shallow, casual discipleship, should make us all pause in deep reflection. I pray that in the parable of the sower, Matthew13:20-22 (NIV) Jesus isn't describing us:

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

It is in my ultimate best interest to completely sell out to Jesus no matter how difficult it is or how it feels in the here and now. The same is true for you. Jesus has eternity to make up for everything about this life. But the reality is that it will only take a moment in His presence to make all of this difficulty seem trivial.