Is God selfish and egotistical?

Is God selfish and egocentric?

Is God selfish when He asks, even demands, us to worship Him?  If it were any other person it would certainly be seen as a total self-absorbing act.  But what about God? 

While there are many who would certainly disagree with my evaluation of the matter, I think God is totally justified in His ’selfishness.’ 

For one, we all worship something.  Those who pretend they don’t are only fooling themselves.  Everybody lives for something.  It may be your own small self, but you do worhsip something.  Why not the God of all creation.

Second, we tend to become like what we worhsip.  Is this not what David meant when he said about idols – “Those who make them are like them.”   If I’m going to become like what I worship, I want to make sure I am worshipping the only One who is worth worshipping, and worth becoming like.  Because it too affects my life.

Third, worship connects us to God.  We were made to know, fellowship and discover Him.  Worship positions us to do that.  So He is just in calling us to that point of connection with Him.

Forth, since worship is the connector.  And since God is the only One worth truly, ulitmately connecting to (and becoming like), He would be unjust in withholding Himself from us.  So in my view if He did not call us to worship Him, He would be with-holding from us the very thing that could give us the greatest benefit in life – Himself!

Makes sense to me.  Therefore, I worship!

The Kingdom is a Process

I recently heard a statement that I think is profound.   It comes from Charles Nieman,  pastor of Abundant Living Faith Center in El Paso, TX.  Here’s the statement:  “Life in the kingdom of God is not an event, but a process!”  Now, let me explain. 

I think we would all agree that the kingdom of God is an event in the sense that there is a definite contact point that Jesus will make in His return to planet earth to establish His millennial rule.  The Bible talks about where His feet will stand – that’s contact, and that’s an event.  But it is not an event in the sense that God deals in terms of process.  Sure there are miracles that occur – whether financial, healing, or deliverance miracles – we know that miracles occur and they appear as events.  They are definite occurrences that interrupt the normal or natural order of things.  So in one sense we could say that miracles are events.  But on another level we have to acknowledge that miracles are the outgrowth of a process.   

Let me give you an example:  Generally speaking when there is a financial breakthrough or miracle it is in response to the law of faith.  Someone did something that set in motion their miracle.  For the most part it is God responding to faithfulness to His Word.  A person tithes and gives according the biblical principles and then things are set in motion which results in a financial breakthrough.   Is it a miracle?  Or a process?  I think the answer is both, but primarily a process.  The miracle is the result of a process. 

Throughout scripture we find Jesus and the Apostles working miracles; but in most cases we find connected to that miracle a point of faith.  Someone did something to engage their faith.  And it was their faith that brought about God’s miracle power to their situation.  Scripture documents things like this:  “And Jesus saw their faith.”  Or “Be it done unto you according to your faith.”  Or even, “Your faith has made you whole.”  Miracle?  Yes.  But the process cannot be denied. 

God rarely operates unless there is a point of faith.   He can because the earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof (See Psalm 24).   But He rarely does because He has set a process in place for things to take place on earth.   John Wesley even said, “God does nothing except in answer to prayer!”  In this case, prayer would be the catalyst that set in motion the power of God.   

When we understand theology properly, we can make sense of all this.  God gave Adam control of planet earth, but through his sin he forfeited his rulership and Satan became the ‘god of this age.’  Jesus Christ became a man to not only offer us forgiveness of our sins and allow us to go to heaven, but to restore the lost rulership of Adam.  Through Christ (or rather ‘In Christ’) we once again take our place as governors of the affairs of earth.   There is incredible significance in the statement “And (He) raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6).  This was God’s plan all along.   And through the law of faith He is waiting on man to give Him the invitation to alter the affairs of earth.  This is why faith is so important.  And this is why it is vital that we understand that the kingdom is not simply an event, but a process. 

The process is important because God desires to partner with us to change the world.  He could operate any way He desires, but He has chosen to cooperate with mankind in order to bring about His ultimate purposes.   I like to think of it in terms of the Father’s Family Business – “God and Sons Enterprises.”  His purpose is to establish His rule on earth, and we get to be a part of the process.  He does work miracles, but it is the process of incorporating us through our faith that constitutes life in the kingdom.   So what does this mean for us?  Let me give you a couple of applications. 

First, if you need a miracle breakthrough you need to discover the principles found in the Word of God that govern that need.  For example, if you need an increase in financial revenue, you must begin the process of increase by applying the law of the tithe, offerings and generosity to your life.   God desires you to increase but He has set in motion laws that control and govern how increase comes to our life.  You cannot violate the tithe and expect God to bring increase when He has declared that the tithe is what opens the door for God’s abundance in your life.  Sure, there are other truths and principles that play a part, but the tithe is the beginning point.  See Malachi chapter 3 to see what God says about the tithe. 

Second, stop waiting on something to fall out of the sky and get busy applying the Word to your life.  There is a tendency for people to sit around and wait for a miracle to happen when God has called us to obedience.  Waiting on the Lord is not act of passivity; it is an act of consecrated obedience.  It is a willingness to do what God says to do.  It is being at His disposal, ready to do His will.  Remember, God wants you to partner with Him.   This means that we have responsibility.  It implies that we must act on His truth (Word) to bring about His purposes.   

I want you to understand this statement in the context we are talking about:  Too many people are waiting on a miracle instead of acting on the Word of God.  I realize this statement can be misunderstood, so I want you to know that I do believe in miracles.  I pray for miracles, believe God for miracles and have seen God do miracles. 

The point I want to drive home with this statement is that it is easy to replace faith and obedience with a misplaced ‘wish’ for a miracle.   Our role is to get involved in God’s program by acting on the Word and doing the things God has called us to do.   So what about your life?  Where do you stand?  Are you standing around with your fingers crossed hoping for a miracle?  Or are you actively applying the Word of God to your life situations and expecting God to do what only God can do?  That’s the real source of miracles.  And that’s why Charles Nieman says, “Life in the kingdom is not an event, but a process.” 

Get involved in the process.  Walk in the Word.  Do the Word.  Speak the Word.  Live the Word.  And you will be amazed at how God works in your life. How can you begin?  By taking practical steps in giving and living.  If we are to see God work mighty things in our midst, it be because we are people of the Word – people of the process.  The kingdom process. 

Lessons from Leprous Men

3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.” 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. 6 For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” 7 Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives. 8 And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it.                                                                                                2 Kings 7:3-8 

            Sometimes you feel like giving up.  I sat in my office staring at my computer screen.  My mind couldn’t seem to focus on the task at hand; I had to complete an article I was writing but the words just didn’t flow.  I’m not one of these guys who think the only way to write is through ‘channeling’ – where God seems to write for you.  It’s wonderful when that happens but I believe in a good, solid work ethic.  Inspiration tends to come through movement.  Get moving and direction, motivation and inspiration show up.  But as I sat at my desk I just couldn’t seem to get moving. Something was eating away at me deep inside.  There were unresolved issues.  I guess we all have issues.  I’m no different than anyone else.  Although I am a pretty positive person, there was something on my mind – albeit my subconscious mind.  I needed to come to terms with my issue.

So what was this thing that was eating away at my heart?  A growing sense of failure.  I don’t know if you have ever had that deep, penetrating, overwhelming sense of failure before, but it can gnaw away at you like a degenerating leprous lesion.  I had to think it through.  I needed to pray it through; to get some kind of perspective on the matter.  You see, I don’t like to lose.  And when I looked at my life – my ministry and even my personal life – I felt like a loser.  Oh, I have accomplished some things.  I’m not talking about having a big fat “L” tattooed on my forehead.  I’m talking about that sense that my life hasn’t fulfilled some kind of cosmic purpose.  I was sensing I had wasting time.  I had wasted energy pursuing the wrong things.  Again, I’m not talking about ‘sin’ things – I wasn’t carousing the bars late at night.  I wasn’t privately entertaining a pornography habit.  I was just doing things that were not taking me to a sense of destiny. 

Even ministry things.   I believe that the call to ministry is just that – a call.  A man doesn’t choose ministry; it chooses him.  Sure, a person has to respond to the call, but the call originates with God.  I know God has a purpose for my life, but I just wasn’t sure I was in the right spot.  I was uncomfortable because things weren’t going the way I knew they could, and should go.  I called it failure although there are thousands of people across the country who would look at my life and argue the point.  But to me it felt like failure.  Maybe it’s another one of those quirks about my life, but this is how I think it works:  Anything that lives is designed to grow.  If it isn’t growing it’s because there is a problem.  Take for example a new born baby.  That baby is equipped with everything it needs to live.  Growth is natural.  Growth occurs because the baby is designed to grow.  From infancy to the toddler ages there are profound changes that occur.  The child begins to walk.  Mom or dad no longer have to spoon feed.  Then more transitions occur as that child grows into the adolescent years.  Facial changes occur.  The child no longer looks like a child; the features of young manhood (or womanhood) begin to take shape.  Change is natural.  Growth is expected.  If that child was the same ten years after birth we would freak out.  We would know, not just guess, but know that something is wrong.

That’s how I feel about church growth and ministry.  Growth is natural.  You may need to facilitate some things, but growth is the natural by-product of life.  So when growth doesn’t occur I get concerned.  Like a parent looking at a child that is not changing – not developing the features that are common to their age bracket.  As I sat at my computer trying to put words on paper, the only thing that was bouncing around in my head was this sense of failure.  Things didn’t look like they were supposed to.  I was working hard.  I was sincere.  I was decent at what I did.  I cared about people.  And I was an above average decision maker and money manager.  So why were things the same?  Why was the child not growing?  If it was my child I was concerned about I would find the best pediatrician on the planet and make an appointment.  I would seek out counsel and help.  Since this was a ministry issue, the best physician I knew was God Himself.  I needed to seek the counsel of God.

It was at this point that I thought of the story in 2 Kings chapter 7.  These leprous men were in a situation similar to mine.  I know I ‘m not a leper, but things certainly seemed to be deteriorating and decomposing right before my eyes.  Things were disfigured and only a caricature of what they were intended to be.  So I identified on a certain level.  Their actions prompted me.  Spurred me.  Made me contemplate.  They talked to themselves as I was talking to myself.  Read their words: “Why are we sitting here until we die?”    Wow!  Simple yet moving.  There comes a time when we need to stop sitting and just move out.  It was their fear of what might happen; their fear of what their lives had been that kept them paralyzed.  So this simple revelation of ‘Why am I just sitting here?’ was profound.  In essence they said, ‘What am I doing?’  It’s easy to get bogged down in contemplation – that place where you are paralyzed by thinking.  I need to think at times.  I don’t like to make a big decision without really thinking the issues through.  I think this is a good thing. But there is that level of thinking it through that becomes counter productive.  You become stuck because you are not solution oriented. You are reliving the past failure instead of moving forward.  These men came to the realization that they could sit there and die, or move out and take a risk. They had nothing to lose. 

I think a lot of our problems are the result of over analyzing and thus becoming stuck in indecision.  We are fearful because we have wasted time, failed in some fashion, missed God’s direction, taken detours, etc.  The list could go on and on.  There comes a point when you just have to get up and start moving. 

This is how it played out in my life.  This is just one issue.  I have always wanted to be a writer.  But at 48 I took a look at my life and realized that I was miles away.  And I got stuck.  My frustration of wasted years paralyzed me.  Instead of getting started at 48, I just sat there mad at myself for waiting.  Why didn’t I get started earlier?  Why did I wait?  You can spend a lifetime rehashing your life and wondering.  It only leads to more regrets.  You need to know this; I am not disappointed in many things about my life.  I am happy in my marriage.  I am grateful for my children.  I love the ministry.  I enjoy where we live.  I don’t have a lot of regrets about things I have done – that’s not to say I haven’t committed sins, I have!  But I am confident in the Lord’s forgiveness.  But I do have regrets.  My regrets are about things I should have done.  So that day I was paralyzed by my own regrets.

Then suddenly those words flashed into my mind:  Why are we just sitting here until we die?  These men came to a point of revelation.  There revelation led to a decision.  They realized that if they stayed still they would die.  Maybe they would die if they moved out, but they knew they would die if they did nothing.  It was time for action.  They had nothing to lose.  Just maybe their action would open a door.  Just maybe.  So they moved.  They got up and moved out.  We have to do the same thing.  The process is exactly the same.

As I looked at the situation in my own life I realized I could continue to sit around, moan and complain and I would surely live my life of failure.  If I continued in that vein it was certain I would come to the end of my life with regrets, never accomplishing anything for the Lord.  But if I moved out, if I stood up and began something, even though I was 48 with a lot of wasted years behind me, just maybe I could accomplish something.  Maybe a dream or two would come to pass.  Just maybe. 

So I moved.  I did something.  I refused to sit and stare any longer.  I took action.  Someone said that only 3% of people have a written plan for their life.  Another 17% have a plan but it is not written down.  The rest have no plan of any kind.  It is amazing, though it shouldn’t surprise us, that the most successful people are those who have a plan and write it down.  The develop action steps.  The get moving in a specific direction.  Maybe everything they want to do doesn’t happen, but without a plan, without action, it is certain to not happen. 

The story of these leprous men is encouraging.  Once they made the decision, once they got resolute in their mind and moved out, God met them.  Miracles began to happen.  It’s as if God is waiting on us to do something, to take some step of faith and then He jumps into gear and opens up the windows of heaven for us.  Buy He is waiting on our move.   I guess if I  to put it in simple terms I would say, What do you have to lose?  If you get a revelation that your life can still count and you make a resolute decision to do something, just maybe you will find God working behind the scenes to open up something special for you.  One thing is for sure, if you do nothing, you can expect nothing.  But if you begin today, who knows what might happen.

For me, it was my decision to be decisive about my life that started me on my journey toward true fulfillment.  I made a couple of commitments that got me moving.  I haven’t seen everything fulfilled, but I am determined to move forward.  I refuse to waste another year of my life.  Who knows, just maybe God will do something surprising.  Who knows!  Just maybe!