The insidious sin of self-centeredness

The headline reads: “Some U.S. Churches still offering Easter Sunday Services: ‘Satan and the Virus will not stop us.'” The pastor defiantly proclaims,  “God will shield us from all harm and sickness,”

So whats wrong with that? The Bible is full of stories about the Israelite’s and their prophets defying government to do God’s will. Just look at Daniel and his buddies getting thrown into the fiery furnace in defiance of Nebuchadnezzar. God protected them.

Where’s the sin in attending Easter service?

Daniel and his friends were the only ones who refused to bow down to anyone or anything but God. They were making a statement to the King and all of those watching.

Insisting on attending an Easter service makes only this statement: “We don’t care about anyone else as long as we get our Easter fix.” Selfish to the max.  There will be 2000 attendees who feel proud of their defiance of the government decree to stay home. They do not care if they spread the virus or even if some of them get sick. God will protect them after all.

Selfishness is always sin

Was Daniel being selfish when he refused to bow? His life was at stake. He knew the consequences and made his choice. Daniel stood up for God. He was not thinking of himself.

But that’s not what is happening at these defiant churches. I suggest that their motives are self-centered. The congregants want to dress in their finest cloths and have the Easter they’ve always had. They want to thrill to the “special” music and glory in their self-righteousness as the pastor belts out a sanctimonious message.

They pat themselves on the back because they are standing against the evil one. Satan will not stop them because he doesn’t want to. Their self-centeredness will cause the virus to spread. Many will get sick. Some may die. They will remain arrogantly unaware of their sinful nature.

Admitting our true self-centered nature would force us to face a depth of sin beyond our ability to cope.

In order to maintain a positive self-image of ourselves denial of sin has become a way of life. We insulate ourselves to any contrary evidence. Everyone is a little selfish. We insist that not be allowed on the list of sins.

Paul admits his realization of sin in

• 1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

But self-centeredness is thee sin.

Homosexuality, abortion, the illegal alien invasion is way worse than a little selfishness we insist.  But, a self-centered response to these actions is also sinful. You’re standing against the immoral scourge in God’s name you cry.

I think you misread your Bible or read it in a way to cherry-pick only those passages that support your pride and self-centered position.

Consider Philippians 2, especially verse 3:

^“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing…”

Are you willing to forgo your own rights for someone else?

Rather than griping about your rights wouldn’t it be more Christ-like to be bringing a load of food to the local food bank? Have you checked to see that your neighbors are doing OK? Have you spent a moment in prayer about the suffering gripping the Navajo nation right now?

Re-evaluate your position in light of self-centeredness

Reevaluate which side of the right and wrong equation you’re on. Jesus never mistreated or condemned sinners but he did have some choice words for hypocrites and church goers.

Maybe it’s time to consider repentance in a new way.