I'm not listening to you. My eyes are trained on your face, my body language is indicating the engagement of my mind in what you are saying, but I'm not listening to you. The truth is, I'm thinking about what I'm about to say. You see, you said something that I can relate to. In fact, I personally think my story is even better than yours. Any second now you're going to pause and take a breath. I'm waiting . . . and formulating the phrases that I'll begin my story with. It's going to sound eloquent. Yes, I'm nodding, this seems an appropriate place in your story to do so . . . wait . . . "I know! I've had the exact same problem except . . ."
And I'm a Christian? One of those people who, like Christ, is more concerned about others than myself? Obeying God and following his commands? Like:
Ro 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ro 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Ga 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Yeah, well, my conceited world doesn't actually seem to line up with Scripture. The problem the Corinthian church had with spiritual gifts seems to be my problem. I'm more concerned with myself and what I have than others and what they have. I'm interested in the attention and applause I'll get, not the help and encouragement I can be to others. I came to church to be edified, not to be God's vessel of edification to someone else.
How selfish must I be?
