Selfishness and the Secret of Life

Perhaps we all seek the meaning of life,

That way of being beyond all strife,

The secret to life is to give it away,

To live for God and others every single day.

The human urge is to profit by sin,

We struggle with selfishness in our kin,

But when we rid ourselves of vanity,

We regain a vital sanity.

With selfishness rid once and for all,

Because at Christ’s cross we do fall,

We stand to gain what we can’t lose,

It’s this love of God’s we can’t refuse.

***

“Go to the cross of Christ, all you that want to be delivered from the power of selfishness.”

— J.C. Ryle (1816–1900)

***

ASTOUNDING is the power of much truth and the power resplendent in this truth is electrifying: the cross reproves all selfishness. It is impossible to kneel at the cross – with minds and hearts turned toward the Saviour – and not be transformed and nauseated by the sin that is selfishness.

We might ask ourselves “why retain that which is ultimately lost; the quest of selfishness?” We should stand aghast at the truth. We will not get out of selfish situations alive. We ought to grow angry with our selfishness, but we should equally grow very patient with others’ selfishness. Only as we stand before the cross of Christ can we understand this personal and interpersonal dichotomy.

The power in standing, figuratively, of course, before the cross is unparalleled. Suddenly we see the offence of our sin against God, but not in any condemning way. We are powerfully motivated to rid ourselves of pathetic vanity. We begin to view ourselves as one before the throne of God, and that sight is enough to never be interested in the sin and selfishness of others ever again. But it is ever conditional on remaining in that position at the foot of the cross.

Selfishness is a power, but it is not to be compared with the rites of passage earned upon salvation – to turn back to the cross and keep turning with rigorous routine. We must develop a healthy hatred of our own beleaguering selfishness.

Once we hate our selfishness we will never love it again. It doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with temptation, but at least we become hyperaware of these vanities that are but a chasing of the wind.

***

With selfishness rid once and for all,

Because at Christ’s cross we do fall,

We stand to gain what we can’t lose,

It’s this love of God’s we can’t refuse.

© 2014 S. J. Wickham.