Salvation From Selfishness
The root of sin is selfishness. This is clear at the moment of Lucifer’s fall (Isaiah 14:12-14) and at the moment of man’s fall (Genesis 3:4-6), when each tried to elevate self above their proper place before God. In light of this, I think we miss the mark when we make salvation the motivation to do good. Can we participate in God’s work to save us from selfishness by acting for the sake of selfish reward? It may seem like I am splitting hairs but I think this is fundamental. Unless we recognize that God wants to save us from selfishness then we will turn religion into a tool for selfish gain. We will focus on ourselves and end up worse than we would have been without it. Let me suggest that this is why, when God calls us to Christ, he calls us to unselfish service. Jesus once said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).