CHAPTER TEN

SELFISHNESS IS A DEEP PROBLEM BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION

By now you may have clicked on to the fact that the major destroyer of relationships is selfishness. It is a deeply rooted problem and we are powerless to overcome it at times. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth; one issue he dealt with was immoral behaviour. He said:

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

There is therefore an answer. It is nothing less than a total reconstruction of your life from the inside out, but it is not something you can do yourself. God does it for those who will reject their former attitudes and behaviour.

Among other things, those heavy words mean that God makes you clean and special and declares you not guilty when you become a true Christian. It begins with the experience of asking Jesus Christ to enter your life as your Lord and God. He died to take the punishment for your wrong doing. He rose to live again as Easter reminds us and he returned to heaven to send the Holy Spirit into our lives. Soon he will return but until then God's work in you continues. This includes a process of teaching you to trust and obey. He will use others and your co-operation to achieve this in your life. Then you will be more able to live unselfishly as Jesus did and honour God again with your body - including your sexuality.

Perhaps you have felt a sense of guilt before God as you read this. Sin involves living independently of God so everyone is a sinner whether they have done wrong once or a million times. Trusting Jesus is the only way to have guilt removed. If you need to place your trust in Jesus or reaffirm your faith, you could sincerely say the following prayer to God. A similar prayer of your own may be even better. If you really mean it, God will respond and you need never be a slave to selfishness again.

Dear God

Thank you for creating me. Thank you for the good gift of my sexuality. I admit that I have done wrong. I have used my body for purposes that are shameful.

Thank you that your Son became truly human. Thank you that He understands my temptations. Thank you that He died for my wrong doing. Thank you that He rose to live again. Thank you that you care for me and that you want me as a member of your family. I turn to you now. I turn away from all wrong doing. I ask you to cleanse me, forgive me and give me the gift of eternal life you have promised. Grant me please the full presence of your Holy Spirit so that I can have my mind renewed and be strong to live for you from now on. Thank you for answering this prayer.

I ask it on the authority of Jesus Christ your Son.

Amen.

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