Introduction
There is no doubt that to be “God-first” is the crown of our faith. However, just as the author say “Self interest is one of the few things that unifies us as a human race”, I wonder how many find to be “God-first” is a goal which one strives for but not achieve it totally.
The author lists some of the obvious “Me-first” concerns such as pleasure, concerns, net worth, look good, and feel good; but there are many subtle forms which often go unnoticed and they include self pity, attention seeking, etc…
These are all negative “Me-first” attitudes…
Session 1 – Exposing the “Me-First” Mind-Set
I agree with the author that “Me-first” is “alive and thriving” and that in many ways “this perverted and backward view of life is leading to modern madness”.
However, when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, what was on our minds? I asked this question to a Christian brother and the answer was salvation. Isn’t that “Me-first” of a positive kind?
Expanding from there, is it not possible to adopt an attitude that drives us to first in service to the Lord, serving others, caring for the sick, etc…
Is it not possible to use one of the few things which “unifies us as a human race” to be first in the things of God?
Session 2 – Breaking The Back Of Self-Centeredness
“Yet even as Jesus drew near the end of His earthly ministry, His disciples had still not gotten the point.” shows how difficult it is to shake off the core of human kind and suggests that it is better to do something positive along the way to developing “God-first” attitude instead of waiting for the ultimate (ideal) to happen…
I am not as concern about the obvious “Me-first” attitudes as the subtle forms. I am sure that someone has done you wrong and it hurts but don’t you think that it hurts hanging on the cross? And I am glad that He didn’t jump off the cross…
Session 3 – Gifted To Serve
In contrast to the previous sessions, Session 3 is a very, very, very positive step forward. I guess it depends who is the target audience of this book.
When we attach the “core” of human beings, it instills guilt. In fact, human beings are social beings and have a desire for relationships in family, community, state, nation, and the world. In maintaining those relationships, individuals have to make sacrifices.
Indeed, many (if not most) of us became believers because He first love us and or for our salvation in Christ. This is a “Me-first” mentality. However, having come into the faith, we should be “encouraged” to exercise that faith in service unto Him.
“God-first” mentality should be introduced as an encouragement to service not as condemnation of “Me-first” mentality.
Sometimes, we spend time waiting for spiritual gifts before we serve but the reality (as expressed in the session) is that we are already gifted for service as part of God’s design and plan. What skills we lack individually, we have in the team or corporate (God’s church). Whilst we may have preferences on who we can work best with; but not being able to find someone whom you can work with is most likely to be a subtle form of “Me-first” mentality.
So, let us make it “Me-first” in service unto Him…
Contributed by: Bro Adrian Yong
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