Greetings in The Name of Jesus Christ, our Righteousness,
Deeper Things
The god of self:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3: 1-2 NKJV.
When listing the negative characteristics of the last days, Paul placed love of self first. We live in an age where love of self is emphasized and glorified. It is considered a prerequisite before loving others. Even ” the church” supports this premise.
The Scriptures do not support this. The love of self over rides the two most important commandments, love for God and love for your neighbor.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22: 37-39 KJV
Jesus already assumes you love yourself.
The battle against self is a christian’s most difficult battle. As we have discussed in previous letters, the christian finds himself in a war following his conversion to Christ. This war will continue until he passes from this life. This battle against self requires a daily denying of self and taking up of your cross. It requires daily saying ” Father thy will be done today to me and through me.” This is your only defense against love of self. This is not a one and done victory.
your brother in Christ.
P.S. Jesus Christ is coming soon.
Do not be deceived.
A Dream: The other night I dreamed my wife and I stood on the shore of a beautiful mountain lake. My attention was drawn to a massive bear standing upright on the opposite shore among the small trees lining the lake. A sense of foreboding overcame me. Immediately I found myself and my wife in a rather large church facility. The same bear was prowling about in the balcony area.
Interpretation: Our spiritual enemies are also in the church.