The most self centered....

[Yet]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

Members of ANY church or religion can be "self-centered, arrogant, and uncaring people"!! That type of behavior does not apply ONLY to christians.

 

[biscuit]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

Christians are Jesus' chosen people who have more than spread and preach the gospel in all 247 countries. He calls us "the salt of the earth" and now He is ready to call His Church home to tell it "job well done faithful servants." Jesus will deal with those so-called unfaithful Christians.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

PEOPLE are self centred, arrogant and uncaring. Christians are people not gods, the difference is that the un-perfect Christian will always aspire to be better, to please a holy and perfect God whereas the atheist/agnostic is quite happy to go about life pleasing his/herself. You only have to walk into a church to see that Christians in the main behave differently, it's hard to explain how but they are just different, I recognised this before I became a Christian, I knew Christians were "nice" but the sad fact is they often trip-up - sometimes daily in their attempts to be Christ-like but they never stop trying.

We fail because life happens and we're not always close to God - we take our eyes off Him. Satan temps us and we make poor decisions, Satan can't make us do these things but he does come up with the suggestion, the temptation. If we kept our eyes on God 100% of the time - and I know that is pretty much impossible, but if we did we would never fail.

The church is never perfect because it is made up of imperfect people, having said this there are some excellent churches which in the main are made up of loving, caring and kind individuals, these churches are increasing in congregation size here in the UK - going against the general trend. It's simply a case of finding the right church.

 

[sacraig67]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

First I think it would be unfair to call Christians the most self centered, arrogant uncaring people in the world. I think you "see it more" and notice it more because we are called to be different.
I see where you are coming from and I do understand what you are saying. Because sin has entered the world humans (in general) are self centered. Because of sin we kinda want to be the center of the universe so to say.
I think that what you are saying is why church attendance and membership has gone down over the years. Because of our sin people outside the church don't see any difference. We are called to be different from the world but do we show it?
Now I may be wrong on this assumption but it's just an assumption. It seems to me (just from what you have written) you have been hurt pretty bad by people within the church. Is that correct? If so be very careful you don't put us all in the same pile.
I'll admit at one point I did become prideful and self righteous but over the years God has shown my why and how I became that way. If we try to run our own lives (as I did) we become that way. It has to be Jesus first others second then us third.
Now I hope I said all this correct. I am not perfect and I do not know it all but this is what I see. Sorry this is so long and I really hope this helps. Not for me but for the Glory of God.

 

[sacraig67]

The church attendance thing I mentioned came from one of my teachers in a "building a church" class I attended.

 

[notuptome]

How often have I hated in others what I saw in myself?

Cast the beam from thine own eye and the mote in thy brothers will be less of a concern.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[breno785au]

I'm an exceedingly selfish person, I want things my way and I wonder why at times people do things differently to myself because I think I know better, it's a battle to prefer others over myself at times, it's like a war to walk according to the Spirit or the flesh but I thank God He is patient and not done with me yet. Practicing selflessness in little each day helps me to learn, like opening the door for a person at work, doing the harder jobs and giving them the easier ones, preferring them the better seat etc. When we encounter a person at a certain point in time who does us wrong (especially a brother) , remember to think that they may not necessarily finish that way, for who can tell how the Holy Spirit will deal with that person over the coming years because sanctification is a process and we are pray for those who do wrong to us. I thank God He hasn't taken me out for my character issues like a tare in the field!

 

[Yet]

Someone wrote today about Luke17:11-19 how ten lepers were healed by Jesus. They went to show themselves to the acting priests. As they went, they were all healed. One returned to give thanks unto The Lord. The other 9 went on their selfish ways. 9 out of ten could not care less about saying a simple thank-you to Jesus.

Reminds me of a deal I experienced in Memphis years ago. I was walking into a Covenient store and I knew this gal was a little ways back behind me. So I waited for her, holding the door open for her. She struts through as if I owed her this service. Couldn't even strenuously cough up a simple 'thanks'...to much trouble I guess.
I said 'your welcome'. She fired right back 'nobody asked you to hold the door'.

All these years I cut her some slack thinking she was just a sinner that didn't know any better......but I wonder?

For the first couple of tears of our salvation no one ever came to see us from the church. If we wanted to fellowship, we had to go knock on their door. After 2 years, God spoke to us and told us to give everything we owned away. So I started calling everyone to come get what they wanted. I call one brother who never reached out to us or visited. I never heard back from him. So I called him again and asked him why he didn't come get something. He said he didn't have any money. I told we were giving everything away for free. Within 30 minutes he was at my house.
So I found out that if you want some spiritual fellowship, you almost have to buy with some.

Our latest experience with literally hundreds of Christians is when we made a 35k christian movie and gave them all free copies. Now you tell me. How hard is it to sit down at your computer and type the word 'thanks' and hit send? All but total dead silence. Even if they were puking all over themselves when watching the film, at least know that we did our level best for the Lord with pure intentions. Can they at least give us that much. A resounding, collective 'Nope'.
By God's grace and power I forgive them all for their self centeredness. I have learned long ago to keep a ton of forgiveness on tap when dealing with brothers and sisters.

A couple of fitting verses:
Proverbs 17:17 A friend Loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Let this next one be a loving warning to us all.



Proverbs 17:13 Whosoever reward etch evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

1Cor. 13...reads...Charity is kind... Showing no manners of gratitude is not walking with a kind and caring spirit. Speaking in tongues will not negate this command.

 

[Dan58]

I think that sometimes the apparent arrogance comes from believing that they are absolutely right and everyone else is absolutely wrong. Jesus pointed this out in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levi thought they were too good to bother helping a victim. I'd argue that being self-centered is more of a religious thing and less of a trait that a true Christian would manifest?

I'd also argue that Islam has a leg up on Christians when it comes to self-involvement. Remember that the U.S. gives and does more to help people worldwide than any other country on earth, no matter what religion they are. But for sure, there are some holier-than-though Christians who believes the world evolves around them. jmo

 

[Yet]

So one can speak to no error since all of us fall short. The logical conclusion being no room for any exhortation, correction or rebuke. In a word, no preaching and no teaching.

 

[weakness]

How often have I hated in others what I saw in myself?

Cast the beam from thine own eye and the mote in thy brothers will be less of a concern.

For the cause of Christ
Roger[/QUOT Hi Rodger, I don't think this is what the scripture says.... Cast out the beam in thy own eye and the mote in thy brothers will be less concerning" but, cast the beam out of your own eye that you may see clearly to take the splinter out of thy brothers eye. Big differance . I think your misleading definition is very revealing. Although I ,personally have often hated in others, what I saw in myself.Like a boomerang I'll throw some scripture at some one else, and its just a matter of time that stick come circling around and hits me right in the back of my head. I find it hard to ,on the one hand to be aware of my own weakness and on the other to at time allow the Holy Spirit to be Holy in me and speak God's word with power and demonstration. Where knowing my weakness becomes a weakness of being afraid to speak the truth, like ( Yet ) has in this thread. I would ,for the most part agree my experience has been the same toward professing christian, but not all. But I think this is our expectation as the man of sin is revealed sitting where he ought not , shewing himself as God. Gross darkness covering the people and love of many waxes cold and believe a lie because they love not the truth. If we can't love our brother who we can see, how can we love God who we cannot see.

 

[weakness]

So one can speak to no error since all of us fall short. The logical conclusion being no room for any exhortation, correction or rebuke. In a word, no preaching and no teaching.

​ The obvious satan inspired conclusion Yet. But sadly how true. Dont be afraid, It is the evident token of perdition. It seems fitting for a christian to be persecuted for wanting people to walk more like Jesus, and speaking the truth. Thats how Jesus said it would be!! Can't you just see a pharisee rebuking Jesus saying, Hey you healed the sick ,Take down your self from the cross. You save many ,save yourself. Take the fault out of your own eye and leave us alone!

 

[notuptome]

How often have I hated in others what I saw in myself?

Cast the beam from thine own eye and the mote in thy brothers will be less of a concern.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Hi Rodger, I don't think this is what the scripture says.... Cast out the beam in thy own eye and the mote in thy brothers will be less concerning" but, cast the beam out of your own eye that you may see clearly to take the splinter out of thy brothers eye. Big differance . I think your misleading definition is very revealing. Although I ,personally have often hated in others, what I saw in myself.Like a boomerang I'll throw some scripture at some one else, and its just a matter of time that stick come circling around and hits me right in the back of my head. I find it hard to ,on the one hand to be aware of my own weakness and on the other to at time allow the Holy Spirit to be Holy in me and speak God's word with power and demonstration. Where knowing my weakness becomes a weakness of being afraid to speak the truth, like ( Yet ) has in this thread. I would ,for the most part agree my experience has been the same toward professing christian, but not all. But I think this is our expectation as the man of sin is revealed sitting where he ought not , shewing himself as God. Gross darkness covering the people and love of many waxes cold and believe a lie because they love not the truth. If we can't love our brother who we can see, how can we love God who we cannot see.

The intent here is that we tend to our own business and stay out of other peoples business. The Lord is quite capable to tending to each and every sheep in His flock. Live your life so close to Christ that you do not need to say a word of condemnation toward any believer. Folks will see more of Christ in what you do than they will ever see in what you say.

How can we have compassion on the world if we cannot have compassion on our own family of believers?

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[breno785au]

I think we just need to learn to discern when to speak. We should be involved and concerned about each others lives in a healthy way and from a right motive. There's two scriptures right after one another in proverbs that seem contradictory (I can't remember where they are now) but I believe it addresses knowing when to speak. I know myself there have been times when I haven't spoken up because I felt like I wasgoing to barkand be judgemental, whether I was right, I don't know but there have been times where I really felt compassionate and merciful and corrected the person in encouragement and exhortation. I do at times fear that I would be a contribution to a person going further away because of my words but I think there are times when we should speak up and times when we should shut up and pray for the person. I desire to come to a place where discernment in this is much sharper.

 

[RedTent]

I search constantly to see God clearer, I search scripture and I search history also, to see how God has operated in our world.

One day I found a letter that had been written during the time Rome persecuted Christians. It was by a man who had been sent to the Christian community to report their doings to Roman authority. This report said they were small groups of people who banded together, almost family style, who had love and concern for each member in the group. The report praised them.

I don't see how we can find churches today that could be praised like that, or how I can function in that way with a church of today. If today' church accepts all Christ is, they use it to deny the OT and all the Father is. If they accept all the Father is, they use it to deny all Christ is. We are a divided house, each watching each member for someone who can be sisters and brothers with us in Christ and usually finding few.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

The entire doctrine of Christianity derives from self-centeredness.

The creator of all that exists has an elect population that he saves from his own edict of damnation.

You're surprised people that believe God loves them only are self-centered?

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

 

[RedTent]

BlackPlatypus;1664231]The entire doctrine of Christianity derives from self-centeredness.

The creator of all that exists has an elect population that he saves from his own edict of damnation.

You're surprised people that believe God loves them only are self-centered?

Yes!! I was surprised when I discovered this in myself. I was sitting in church and judging a group in the church who were clannish and seemed to shut themselves away from sharing and loving in the entire church community, when God pointed out to me that His love for them was the very same love God for me. I and the Lord had an argument about it while I was sitting there. I objected to the very idea that I was grouped with all of THOSE! other people. I asked the Lord if He didn't set me apart as someone very special. I think all you who read this knows the answer the Lord gave me.

 

[just-me]

Certain things weigh heavy on me. I'll let them ride for a long time before speaking to them. I want to make sure that it's not 'just me'.

I've observed this condition for years, more years than I care to disclose. It's this. Christians are the most self centered, arrogant, uncaring people I have ever known. Not all, but way to many. What gives? Let's talk.

If I were to list every incident I've encountered, I'd fill volumes.
We are to esteem our brother better than ourselves. Patient, kind, gentle, not puffed up, etc.. But God help the saint that believes the same treatment will come back to him. What a blow. What a let down. Now get over it. It's just the way the 'church' is and here's why.

God set certain things in order for the body of Christ, the relationship between brothers and sisters. Some of those attributes are outlined in 1Cor. 13. The increase of these spiritual traits grow and strengthen by our fellowship in the Spirit.
But church is not set up for that spiritual growth. In fact it is in direct opposition to that purpose and function, making impotent His ecclesia.

It's because the church has been preached to for years that the law is abolished through Christ. Opposing that falsehood is the beginning of adversity in the (so called) Christian community. Advocates against the law prove themselves of a carnal mind because they cannot perceive the Spiritual concepts thereof. Any church that believes this lie will ultimately act in a state of lawlessness giving way to corruption. It's probably more than just-me. LOL

Romans 8:5-7
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be .

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid : yea, we establish the law.

 

[mustaphadrink]

Members of ANY church or religion can be "self-centered, arrogant, and uncaring people"!! That type of behavior does not apply ONLY to christians.

The discussion is about christians, not non christians