I Will Be Careful Not To Look For My Own Interests

From: August 19 – 25, 2008

Pastor: Edith Cruz

Study: # 554 TOPIC: “I Will Be Careful Not To Look For My Own Interests” Phillipians 2:21

All deeds in the Earth belong to God, we cannot do anything else but what God has proposed. It was very clear to Paul how a church should walk; it was him who took charge of spreading the gospel to the gentiles. He taught what a gentile Christian should be. For this reason it is good to be clear what the gospel involves. We should be firm in what we have learned and known. If we stumble it is because there is not stability then in what is believed, we can be moved by a false doctrine or by what the world thinks. Let us listen carefully to what Paul says in Philippians 2:21 so that we remain firm. He says that everyone looks out for their own interest. For that reason, when a person’s own interest is manifested over God’s interest and purpose in church, this will bother and harm the church. Then, the sentinel will reveal when there is evilness in the church; otherwise, harm will come to everyone. When we are sensitive to God we can feel something in our spirit pertaining to what surrounds us. When there is more science, there will be more knowledge of what will occur, therefore, there will be more suffering and pain without anyone saying anything. It is because the spirit is developed and one can perceive more. It is exhausting, tough, because one knows beforehand what will happen, the consequences are seen; for such a reason one suffers. Any person who is sensitive already possesses an ability to feel, a tendency for love and compassion towards men. There is a tenderness manifested and one has the capacity to help. Contrary to this is when a person is insensitive. The insensitive ones become cruel, because nothing is done in a situation where there is a necessity. Insensibility is a temporary lack of a physical or emotional sensation; therefore, there is not a capacity to react when necessary. When a person becomes selfish it does not matter to him how much damage can be done or what is ahead of him. Selfishness dominates when there is a lack of sensibility, which is a disproportionate love for oneself manifested when placing ourselves before others. That is what Paul warns us about in Philippians 2:21. Selfishness is behind the door, we are not able to see it and it dominates our reasoning, our mind, our heart and we begin behaving selfishly. In life, there are many selfish reactions because of the lack of sensibility, and that is very dangerous because we become egocenter, idolaters of ourselves, therefore, despicable people. This happens when one becomes completely insensible. God created us individually, He chose us and put good in our heart, but all of a sudden everything changes and in our existence there is only one person, ourselves, then selfishness is developed. Let us understand that we belong to the whole world and for that reason we have to reason. When we begin to look only for what is for us, what happens is horrible. Paul said that some of those whom God had called were only interested in themselves, and there was no room for anyone else in their world. Careful, one lives only for our own private interest, that’s the way human beings are. When that happens, we cannot walk and accelerate our steps because we’re only thinking of ourselves. The reason for the heavy foot is selfishness, the lack of sensibility. The world revolves in selfishness. Let us learn from the Master. If somebody was not selfish that was the Lord Jesus, He was sensible. For those who approached Him with faith, virtue would come out of Him, because of His incomparable sensibility.

There will be good in us only when we stop being selfish. And careful, as time keeps passing by, people become hard-hearted. How will we know if there is love in us? When it is time for us to walk the second mile and we do so. If we only care for ourselves, there won't be time for Christ’s affairs. Then, everything we have will be for ourselves. Let us not live for our present and our own little world at home, because all this is so vain. This absorbs us and there is nothing left for anyone else. When have we looked out for the well-being of someone else? There are so many personal interests in many Christians, they only live for themselves. This must not be for you, beloved. Genesis 4:1 Cain and Abel knew very well who God was, because God spoke to them literally. Adam and Eve also knew God well, because God Himself created them. Adam was with God in Paradise, in the Garden of Eden. What they lived their children also had to live and see. Cain was Abel’s brother. He was an insensitive man. When men become insensitive it is against God. There was a malicious attitude that turned into a bad action, he killed his brother. God is in the human being, He watches out for everything that happens in the earth. Abel’s blood ascended and reached God. Cain killed his brother because of his jealousy and his selfishness. When evil reaches Heaven, it is the worse occurrence of men towards God. Respect is an obligation; it is something that is reached. We owe respect to one another. In an insolent way, due to his insensibility, jealousy and selfishness overcame Cain when he killed his brother. Cain answered God with anger. That is the danger of becoming selfish; it dominates to bring harm to others. When we lose sensibility everything makes us angry. Jehovah pronounced judgment for Cain. God never spoke to him again and as a punishment He took away his land. It is best to give everything, to lose everything before selfishness and insensibility possesses us. But, each one pursues his own path. Our acts will mark our path for goodness or for misfortune. Let us be sensible, love those who surround us, and serve. 2 Kings 8:8-13 By being selfish we will only seek our own interest. But, there are times to detain what is wrong, to reflect, and repent so that evilness will not reach us. When cruelty is discovered families are lost, the children, etc. Some are so selfish that they refuse to die to so much insolence. Those who are insolent exalt themselves. The insolent become angry and control everything, this is the way it is for those who have lost sensibility and possess only for themselves without being able to feel anything for others. They’re just like Haman who thought he was the only one to be honored by the King. Esther 6:7, 8 Selfishness is placed before any other person. Let us not underestimate others, let us take care of ourselves. Proverbs 16:18, Mark 10:37 Selfishness and the lack of sensibility drive us to always seek the first and the best place. But, whoever does this should be thinking of the imminent of the breach and the fall that will come. Selfishness doesn't allow us to see and goes above everything. Let it not be this way in your life. Let us learn from the Master who gave it all for love, personifying in Himself sensibility. Amen.